The Integration of Design Software (PVElite, AutoCAD, Caesar II) in Pressure Vessel and Piping Engineering

Effective design of pressure vessels and piping relies on the integration of CAD and CAE software to guarantee structural integrity and compliance with industry standards. This paper analyzes the integration of PVElite, AutoCAD, and Caesar II, focusing on its impact on design accuracy and its support for advanced analysis. The integrated workflow is explored, encompassing initial 3D modeling using AutoCAD, pressure vessel design and analysis using PVElite (following ASME Section 8), and pipe stress analysis using Caesar II (applying codes such as B31.3). The research investigates how this integration reduces errors in stress calculations, optimizes the placement of supports, and improves the accuracy of material quantity estimations. The paper also discusses the challenges of maintaining data integrity across platforms and emphasizes the importance of a unified modeling environment, providing examples from real-world applications.