How to Use the PCF Interface - CAESAR II - Help

1. Click Interfaces > CAD > Import PCF from the main window ribbon.

   The Intergraph Smart3D PCF and the PCF options are identical.

   The PCF Interface dialog box displays.

2. Click Add PCF Files to Conversion List on the toolbar.

   

   • A PCF must have a file extension of .pcf.

   • You can add one or multiple files to be converted.

   • You can remove PCF(s) from the list by clicking Remove PCF Files from the Conversion List .

   The selected file(s) displays in the PCF Files section of the dialog box.

   The default corresponding CAESAR II input file that will be built from the conversion process displays in the CAESAR II Files section of the dialog box. You can change the path by clicking the "..." ellipsis button and selecting another path.

3. Change any of the options listed under Conversion Options, as needed.

   • Condense Rigids

   • Condense Tees

   • Condense Elbows

   • Use Pipe Materials Only

   • Model Rotation

   • Combine PCF Files

   • Diameter Limit

   • Length for Nodal Increment

   • Material Number

   • Pipe Schedule/Wall Thickness

4. Click Convert selected PCF files into CAESAR II to initiate the conversion process.

   During the conversion process, status messages display in the Message Area, which is located in the lower right of the PCF Interface dialog box.

   These messages are also written to a LOG file with the name XXXX.LOG, where XXXX represents the name (less the extension) of the combined CAESAR II file. The log file is placed in the selected CAESAR II output file folder.

5. View your new CAESAR II input model.

Example

For example, this CAESAR II model was created from the sample file 1001-P-Input.PCF:

1. Elements are ordered and nodes are numbered in a logical manner.

2. The following attributes transfer correctly from the PCF_UNITS_ MAP_TXT file.

   • Materials

   • Diameter and Wall Thickness

   • Corrosion Allowance and Fluid Density

   • Operating Conditions (Temperature and Pressures) also are translated.

3. The following attributes transfer correctly from the PCF_RES_MAP.TXT file.

   • Restraints

4. The following attributes transfer correctly from the PCF_SIF_MAP.TXT file.

   • Tees convert with the correct SIFs – in this case a Welding Tee and a Weldolet.

   Besides supports/restraints, boundary conditions such as equipment connections are also transferred. (In this example, at all three nozzle connections are set). You can easily change these to thermal displacements.

5. Weights of in-line components, insulation thickness and density, all material properties, and Allowable Stress information transfer correctly.

6. Line numbers are assigned according to the name of the PCF file.

In this example, the output displays the applicable CAESAR II warnings, which are informational only.

Phantom components (PCF items marked as CONTINUATION or STATUS DOTTED or MATERIAL LIST EXCLUDE) are ignored during the conversion process.

• Tee components are modeled using the thickness of the matching pipe.

• Node Numbering preferences (start node and increment) are based on the Node Numbering Increment set in the active CAESAR II Configuration file.