Fittings, Hangers and Equipment Load Points

Fittings and Panel Fittings

A Fitting (FITT) element allows you to indicate a connected implied load, such as a pipe hanger attachment, or an ancillary item related to, but not an inherent part of, the structure, such as a web stiffener or a flange plate.

A Fitting is owned by a Section (SCTN) and is positioned along the Neutral Axis of the SCTN at a point defined by the ZDIST attribute (in the same way as for a SNOD). The Fitting may be geometrically modelled in the Catalogue, and selected from the Catalogue, in a similar way to a Joint, as described in Creating and Positioning Joints.

A Panel Fitting (PFIT) element serves a similar function to a FITT, but is owned by a Panel and positioned relative to the Panel’s origin. A Cofitting (COFI) element is used where a fitting spans the junction between two or more Panels. In the latter case, one of the Panels owns a PFIT while the others each own a COFI. Each COFI has its Panel Fitting Reference (PFRE) attribute set to point to the associated PFIT; the PFIT has its Cofitting Reference Array (CFRA) attribute set to point to the COFIs.

Structure-to-Pipework Connections

Piping models may be linked logically to the Structural model by means of cross-references between the Connection Reference (CREF) attribute of a Fitting on the Structure and the Head or Tail Reference (HREF/TREF) of a Hanger on the Pipework. A Fitting may be regarded, therefore, as the Structural equivalent of an Attachment Point (ATTA) in Pipework design.

For connection type compatibility, the Connection Type attribute (CTYA) of the Fitting must match the Connection Type (HCON/TCON) of the Hanger.

Structure-to-Equipment Connections

Equipment models may be linked logically to the Structural model by means of cross-references between the Connection Reference (CREF) attribute of a Fitting on the Structure and the Connection Reference (CREF) of a Load Point (LOAP) element owned by the Equipment.

A Load Point has a position within the Equipment model, but no size or orientation. It behaves in this respect like a Node in the Structural model. If an Equipment is moved, any member Load Points which point to Fittings in a Structure will not move, their positions being constrained by the attached Structure.