AutoPIPE Vessel is Bentley Systems' expert solution for the calculation and design of pressure appliances and heat exchangers. Among its most remarkable features is the Optimizer support : a tool based on artificial intelligence that automatically determines the optimal location of piping supports, without sacrificing safety or code compliance.
In brief:
- AutoPIPE Vessel Optimizer Support uses a genetic algorithm to automatically find the best configuration of piping supports.
- It can evaluate several thousand solutions in the background, while the engineer continues other tasks.
- The tool retains only the minimum number of supports necessary to meet all mechanical stress constraints, reducing material and labour costs.
- beCAD, Bentley Systems partner, supports sales, advice and training on AutoPIPE Vessel.
What is AutoPIPE Vessel?
AutoPIPE Vessel is a software specialized in the design and analysis of pressure devices: bladders, heat exchangers with tubes and grille, storage tanks and air coolers. It allows to model these equipment under different loading conditions (internal pressure, wind, earthquake) while ensuring compliance with the main international codes: ASME, EN13445, CODAP, AD-Merkblatter, PD 5500, GB, GOST.
Vessels, exchangers, tanks: AutoPIPE Vessel covers all static pressure devices.
Optimizer support: IA for support design
Supports are essential to the stability and safety of a pressurized device, but their manual dimensioning is time-consuming and often based on the engineer's experience rather than on real optimisation. The Optimizer support automates this process.
A genetic algorithm inspired by natural selection
Optimizer Support relies on a genetic algorithm, inspired by Darwin's theory of evolution. The process starts with an initial population of solutions that evolve from generation to generation: the least efficient solutions are eliminated, while the most promising inherit their characteristics to subsequent generations, until they converge towards an optimal configuration.
Each component, up to the tubular beam, can be automatically optimized.
Thousands of automatically evaluated solutions
Where an engineer would manually test some configurations, Optimizer Support can evaluate several thousand alternatives in a reduced time. The program rotates in the background while the engineer pursues further calculations, and retains only the minimum number of support points to respect all the stress parameters: a solution that is both more economical and fully compliant.
AutoPIPE Vessel 10 key points
| Key point | In practice |
|---|---|
| 1. Optimizer support by IA | Genetic algorithm for optimal media dimensioning. |
| 2. Large code library | ASME, EN13445, CODAP, AD-Merkblatter, PD 5500, GB, GOST. |
| 3. Automated design | Solutions proposals based on initial data, color code interface. |
| 4. Finished element analysis (FEA) | Accurate calculation of load distribution, even on non-symmetric devices. |
| 5. Advanced seismic analysis | Determination of fundamental frequency and mass distribution. |
| 6. Tubular beam design | Optimal layout, deflectors, central tube, in one click. |
| 7. Materials library | More than 2000 materials, compatible with all supported codes. |
| 8. Automated 2D/3D drawings | Instant export to DGN, DWG, IFC, without third-party software. |
| 9. Nomenclature automatique | Listes de matériel générées au format Excel en quelques secondes. |
| 10. Personnalisation avancée | Modèles de dessin, bases de données et normes de support adaptables au projet. |
Des réservoirs de stockage aux refroidisseurs d’air, tous les appareils statiques sont couverts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Qu’est-ce que le Support Optimizer d’AutoPIPE Vessel ?
C’est un outil basé sur un algorithme génétique qui détermine automatiquement l’emplacement optimal des supports de tuyauterie ou d’un appareil sous pression, en évaluant des milliers de configurations possibles.
Le Support Optimizer remplace-t-il l’ingénieur ?
Non. Il automatise le travail répétitif de recherche de configuration, mais l’ingénieur garde le contrôle total : il peut basculer entre mode automatique et mode vérification à tout moment.
Quels types d’équipements AutoPIPE Vessel permet-il de concevoir ?
Des vessels, des échangeurs de chaleur à tubes et calandre, des réservoirs de stockage et des refroidisseurs d’air, conformément aux principaux codes internationaux de conception sous pression.
AutoPIPE Vessel est-il compatible avec d’autres logiciels de conception ?
Oui, notamment via l’export vers DGN, DWG, IFC et SolidWorks, ainsi que l’intégration avec des outils comme HTRI, AspenTech ou Honeywell dans la version Ultimate.
Pourquoi choisir AutoPIPE Vessel avec beCAD ?
As an approved Bentley Systems partner, beCAD accompagne bureaux d’études et industriels dans le conseil, la vente et la formation sur AutoPIPE Vessel et l’ensemble des solutions Bentley (MicroStation, OpenPlant, OpenRoads Designer, OpenBuildings Designer, iTwin Capture Modeler…). Notre équipe vous aide à tirer parti du Support Optimizer et des autres fonctionnalités avancées dès aujourd’hui.
