ROHR2 is a specialized, industry-standard software suite for the calculation and design of piping systems. It is used extensively for the stress and structural analysis of pipes, supports, and related components in industrial plants. Its primary focus is ensuring the safety, integrity, and reliability of piping systems under various loads like pressure, weight, temperature, and seismic events.

The core value proposition is providing certified, standards-compliant analysis (according to codes like ASME B31.1, B31.3, EN 13480, etc.) for critical piping systems in sectors where failure is not an option, such as power generation (including nuclear), oil & gas, chemical, and shipbuilding.

Key Features and Focus of ROHR2 v33.1

A point release like v33.1 typically focuses on incremental improvements, bug fixes, new component libraries, and updates to comply with the latest revisions of international standards.

1. Updated Code Compliance and Standards

  • Latest Code Revisions: Implementation of the most recent updates to key international standards. This is a primary driver for point releases. For v33.1, this could include amendments to:

    • ASME B31.1 (Power Piping)

    • ASME B31.3 (Process Piping)

    • EN 13480 (Metallic industrial piping)

    • API 610 / API 617 (Pump and Compressor requirements)

  • National Annexes and Country-Specific Standards: Enhanced support for regional standards and national annexes for European norms, ensuring compliance for global projects.

2. Expanded Component and Material Libraries

  • New Manufacturer Parts: Addition of new, certified component libraries from major valve, expansion joint, and special component manufacturers. This allows engineers to select specific, real-world parts from the library with pre-defined properties, increasing accuracy and saving modeling time.

  • Updated Material Databases: Inclusion of new metallic and non-metallic materials in the database, along with their temperature-dependent allowable stresses and physical properties as per the latest codes.

3. Enhanced Analysis Capabilities

  • Fatigue Analysis Improvements: Refinements to the algorithms for calculating cumulative fatigue usage factors, especially for systems subjected to cyclic loading (e.g., from start-up/shut-down cycles or pressure fluctuations).

  • Non-Linear Restraint Modeling: Enhanced modeling of complex support behaviors, such as the precise friction and gap characteristics of sliding supports, or the non-linear stiffness of spring hangers.

  • Wave and Seismic Load Generation: Updates to the automatic load generation tools for dynamic analyses, potentially including new methods for defining seismic spectra or wave loads for offshore applications.

4. Usability and Workflow Integration

  • Improved CAD Interfaces: Updates to the direct interfaces with CAD systems like AVEVA E3D/PDMS, Hexagon SPD, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks. This ensures smoother data exchange and reduces the risk of errors during model import/export.

  • ROHR2inside for AutoCAD Plant 3D: Enhancements to this plugin, allowing engineers to perform preliminary ROHR2 analyses directly within the familiar AutoCAD Plant 3D environment.

  • Result Visualization and Reporting: Tweaks to the graphical display of results (e.g., stress contours, displacement animations) and more customizable reporting features for creating clear, client-ready documentation.

5. Performance and Core Improvements

  • Solver Optimizations: Under-the-hood improvements to the calculation kernel (FEM solver) for faster analysis times, especially for large and complex piping systems.

  • Bug Fixes and Stability: As with any point release, v33.1 would include fixes for issues identified in the initial v33.00 release, improving overall software stability and reliability.