Use Closed-Form Solutions Instead of Bad FEA Calculations

Are you wasting money on bad FEA calculations that won’t make it past regulators?

I was recently asked to help a client review some calculations that were rejected by a prominent regulator in the industry. After ogling some aesthetically gorgeous FEA pictures I had the same question as the regulator:

 “Why are you using FEA?”

The nozzle geometry was pretty basic. A 12”, set-in, radial nozzle with a reinforcing pad. 

Not in cyclic service. No crazy thermal gradients. No external loads. No reason for an FEA only calculation submission. 

What should have been a five dollar closed-form solution calculation turned into an expensive FEA nightmare. Please consider using closed-form solutions for designs where the configuration is fully covered by the available ASME rules.