NextGen software Frequently Asked Questions

List of frequently asked questions

• How can I access the program log file?
• NextGen does not print the formula used to calculate the maximum allowable pressure
• NextGen does not take into account the hydrostatic head / the hydrostatic heads are zero
• Is it possible to connect a nozzle on a half-pipe jacket?
• Is it possible to connect a closure on a half-pipe jacket?
• What is the difference between an error, a warning and a message?
• How should calculation errors be solved?

Question: How can I access the program log file?

Answer: the program log is automatically sent to Sant'Ambrogio when a request for support is made through the detailed procedure in this article. If you need to access the log directly, it can be opened at the following path:

c:\users<current user name>\appdata\local\sant'ambrogio servizi industriali srl\pressure vessel software*standard.log*

Since the AppData folder could be hidden, to show it use, in Windows Explorer, the top menu "View" > "Hidden Items".

When requested, you can send this file by e-mail to technical support (support@sant-ambrogio.it)

To access the folder more quickly, you can select the "Start" > "Run" button and insert the following text:

*%localappdata%\Sant'Ambrogio Servizi Industriali Srl\Pressure Vessels Software*

Then press enter.

Question: NextGen does not print the formula used to calculate the maximum allowable pressure

Answer: the maximum allowable pressure values generally derive from iterative calculations. Calculation codes do not always list formulas for maximum pressure (sometimes is done for external pressure calculations); most often they have the calculation of the minimum thickness. To provide a more complete overview, NextGen takes care of recalculating the vessel until it finds the pressure beyond which the calculation of the minimum thickness would not be done.

This is carried out under various conditions, for example MAP and MAWP in the ASME standard are calculated respectively at room temperature with a non-corroded device and at design temperature with corroded device; in EN13445 the maximum pressure under test is calculated using an increased allowable stress for the test conditions.

In general, therefore, when NextGen shows a maximum allowable pressure value without a formula, it is because it is calculated iteratively and cannot actually be represented by a direct formula.

Question: NextGen does not take into account the hydrostatic head / the hydrostatic heads are zero

Answer: make sure that "Ignore liquid level" checkboxes are not enabled in "File" > "Item Properties" > "Design Conditions"

Question: is it possible to connect a nozzle on a half-pipe jacket?

Answer: it is not currently possible to connect a nozzle on a coil or half pipe; to calculate this opening it is possible to create an additional cylinder component that shapes the semi-pipe, then add the opening on that pipe.

Question: is it possible to connect a closure on a half-pipe jacket?

Answer: it is not possible at the moment. To model the closure, it is possible to use an additional non-circular welded flat bottom component or a rounded bottom, based on the geometry of the closure component.

Question: what is the difference between errors, warnings and messages?

Answer:

• An error, highlighted in red both in the component design window and in the calculation report indicates a non-conformity of the calculation with respect to the adopted code. This error must be resolved (that is removed) to obtain a valid calculation.
• A warning, indicated in yellow in the design window, is an indication given to the designer and which the designer must take into account but does not affect the validity of the calculation. Errors are non-removable indications from the calculation report, while warnings can be excluded from the report. Starting from version 2018.2, warnings can be "hidden", or "accepted": do to so, just click on the "hide" checkbox visible on the right-hand side of the warning message. A warning can be hidden for the entire item by right-clicking on the same checkbox, then selecting "hide for entire item". Hidden warnings are still visible although greyed out and are not taken into account when component validation occurs.
  
• A message has the lowest severity: messages can contain good practice suggestions or simple notification. They never affect the validity of the calculation.

Question: How should calculation errors be solved?

Answer: NextGen collects errors during calculation and validation. The error order is therefore a chronological sequence: since it can happen that an error reported at the bottom of the list is the consequence of an error that precedes it, it is necessary to process the errors from top to bottom.
The resolution of the error goes through the understanding of what is not verified. Where possible, NextGen directly provides the required value compared to the actual value. In other cases, it is necessary to print the report of the component, identify the non-conforming value and verify from which values it derives: these intermediate values will have to be modified in order to obtain a correct result.