Release Notes

• Paulin Research Group 2025.4.0.2787 Release Notes

  New Features

  • Nonlinear ratcheting analysis, in accordance with ASME Section VIII, Division 2 guidelines, is now available for shell elements in the applications listed below. [PRG-590]
    • FEPipe
    • FEBend
    • BoxPRO
    • FETee
    • NozzlePRO
    • PVPTPro

                
  

  • Support for modeling structures on flat heads has been added to the below software. [PRG-3125]
    • FEPipe
    • NozzlePRO
    • PVPTPro

  
  

  • The 2024 ASME B31.3 code update has been applied to FEPipe, PCLGold, Piping FEA Translator, and the material database within Paulin Research Group. PRG-3291
    
    
  • 2024 ASME B31.1 code update has been applied to FEPipe, PCLGold, Piping FEA Translator, and the material database within Paulin Research Group. PRG-3391
    
    
  • Flexible Shell Element (FSE) programs have been merged with other PRG applications into a single installer. Additionally, buttons for Flange & Flued and Line Element Excel have been added to the main PRG launch window. PRG-3414
    
    
  • Links to on-demand software training and our engineering newsletters have been added to the Help menu. PRG-3242

• Paulin Research Group 2024.12.0.2520 Release Notes

  New Features

  • You can now model structural attachments together with nozzles in PVPTPro. PRG-2765
    
    
  • You can now model up to eight attachments in PVPTPro. PRG-2781
    
    
  • ASME B31J-2023 code updates are now included in PCLGold and FEATools for compliance validation. PRG-2941
    
    
  • Konnect™ and Vessel Link can now read and analyze lugs and rings from JSON. PRG-2955
    
    
  • Konnect™ can now analyze and plot CAD models by location without an underlying beam model, which allows users to join and lock the model to the vessel and piping from X, Y, or Z coordinates or by elevation, north, east, west, or south coordinates. PRG-2540
    
    
  • Under Help, you can now click Check for Updates to verify that you are using the latest version of Paulin Research Group software or to receive additional updates. PRG-3002
    
    
  • You can now import version 14 of CAESAR II®️ into the below Paulin Research Group products. PRG-2778
    • FEATools Piping FEA Translator
    • Konnect™
    • PCLGold
    • MiMOut
    • PipeSupportPro
    • BOS B31
      
      
  • Twice Yield fatigue calculations using the cyclic stress-strain curve has been implemented into the Plastic, Large Rotation, Arc-Length Solver. PRG-3134
    
    
  • The extrapolation algorithm has been improved and implemented for shells, axisymmetric, and brick geometries. PRG-3118
    
    
  • The text report in NozzlePRO now includes zero loads to show that absent weight loads, where no value is imputed, is still accounted for in the analysis displayed as 0. PRG-2925

• Paulin Research Group 2024.5.0.2130 Release Notes

  New Features

  • Konnect™ now supports liquid sloshing, which can be also used in Vessel Link when handling vessels. PRG-2662
    
    
  • Konnect™ now handles corrosion, which can be turned off and on for vessel and piping models. PRG-2670
    
    
  • You can now analyze in-and-out-of-phase seismic loads for Konnect™ projects, which can be controlled for each vessel model. PRG-2659
    
    
  • You can now import saddles and supported horizontal vessel models into Konnect™ and Vessel Link using the JSON export button for models in CEI’s DesignCalcs or Finglow. PRG-2691
    
    

  • You can now load encrypted or decrypted JSON files into Konnect™ and Vessel Link. PRG-2689
    
    
  • You can now load cylinder rings in vessel models in Konnect™ and Vessel Link. PRG-300
    
    
  • You can now load Portable Compile Format (PCF) piping files from AutoCAD in Konnect™ and PCLGold. PRG-2622
    
    
  • The following PRG products can now read neutral files from version 14 of CAESAR II®️:
    • FEATools Piping FEA Translator
    • Konnect™
    • PCLGold
    • MiMOut
    • PipeSupportPro
    • BOS B31 PRG-2778

• Paulin Research Group 2024.1.0.1801 Release Notes

  New Features

  • The Paulin Research Group suite now has multi-factor authentication and geofencing options to further protect users data and software usage.
    
    
  • The following 2023 ASME code edition updates have been made to the software:
    • The software now includes 2023 ASME Section VIII Division 2 Part 5 as well as the 1.67 beta factor for buckling Method B. PRG-2220
    • The software now includes piping updates to 2022 ASME B31.3 and B31.1. PRG-1519, PRG-1509
    • The MatPRO material database has been updated to include the 2019, 2021, and 2023 ASME Section II Part D codes. PRG-2171
    • The MatPRO material database has been updated to include the 2018, 2020, and 2022 ASME B31.1 and ASME B31.3 codes. PRG-2061

  
  

  • You can now change head type boundary condition for cylinder free ends in NozzlePRO. PRG-2364
    
    
  • You can now add multiple nonlinear material properties to models within the software. PRG-1088
    
    
  • You can now save and restore previously modified elements in the Drawing Tools. PRG-2366
    
    
  • You can now report on nodal principal stresses within the Drawing Tools. PRG-2365
    
    
  • In PVPTPro, the software can now compute Sustained Stress Indices (SSIs), Stress Intensification Factors (SIFs), and allowable loads for nozzles. PRG-1677
    
    
  • In PVPTPro, the software can now change boundary condition types for fixed end and free end for cylinders and cones. PRG-1667
    
    
  • The Sensitive Equipment module in Konnect now includes input for multiple temperature values. PRG-2131
    
    
  • The Sensitive Equipment module in Konnect can now import PCLGold models and CAESAR II^TM neutral files. PRG-2436
    
    
  • In Konnect, the software can now analyze saddles with finite element analysis (FEA) including external loads and pressure through Vessel Link. PRG-299
    
    
  • In FEATools, a warning message is now displayed for bend geometries when rigid elements are in close proximity to the bend. PRG-2422

  
   

• Paulin Research Group 2023.9.0.1458 Release Notes

  • Konnect^TM is now available within the PRG suite of software products, and the following features are accessible to customers:
    • You can now import vessels models created in Finglow; Konnect then creates a beam model of that vessel and a beam analysis can be performed.
    • You can now import COMPRESS vessels into a comprehensive common format (through XML); Konnect then creates a beam model of that vessel and a beam analysis can be performed.
    • You can now import piping models from PRG’s PCLGold or CAESAR II and then analyze them independently through PCLGold.
    • You can now import structural models from PCLGold and combine them with piping and vessel models.
    • You can now combine vessel and piping models in one cohesive model (of a plant system) to then be analyzed together at the same time.
    • You can now import a CAD model (from a STL file) into Konnect through the Konnect SEM (Sensitive Equipment Module) and combine piping and vessel models together.
    • You can now perform local finite element analysis (FEA) for nozzles and structures within the software from NozzlePRO; Konnect includes a native integration with NozzlePRO.
    • You can now perform local FEA for multiple nozzles at the same time to visualize the stiffness and stress interaction among them within the software from PVPTPro; Konnect includes a native integration with PVPTPro. [PRG-1735]

  
  

  • The following features are now available in PVPTPro:
    • A FEPipe button is now displayed on the ribbon of PVPTPro, and the software can now open underlying design templates from FEPipe so that the user can make further changes to their uploaded model, like:
      • Adding additional nozzles,
      • Adding structures to analyze in conjunction with nozzles,
      • Connecting a model to other FEPipe models to create a complete vessel, and
      • Adjusting meshing parameters to optimize results. [PRG-1666]

  
  

  • You can now add nozzle inserts for all four nozzle types in PVPTPro; a nozzle insert is the internal projection of a nozzle. Previously, you could only model an external projection, but now you can model both. [PRG-1684]

  
  

  • You can now model trunnions in PVPTPro; the software does not cut a hole on the parent/host when modeling nozzles. [PRG-1684]

  
  

  • The ANALYZE All Nozzles in Cylinder #1 option is now available so that you can analyze multiple nozzles in PVPTPro. [PRG-1858]

• Paulin Research Group 2023.5.0.1192 Release Notes

  New Features

  • Heavy barrel and pad-reinforced nozzle geometries have been added to PVPTPro, which enables you to model heavy barrels (self-reinforced) together with pad-reinforced (shell reinforced) nozzles in the software. [PRG-1467]

  
  

  • Vessel Link and CEI's JSON vessel files are now integrated so that users of Finglow and other CEI products can now perform FEA on nozzles in PRG. [PRG-605]
    • Regarding the Vessel Link and CEI JSON integration, titled nozzle geometries can now be modeled between the PRG suite of products and CEI’s suite of products. [PRG-1833]

• Paulin Research Group 2023.4.0.1115 Release Notes

  New Features

  • PVPTPro now includes the capability to perform nonlinear analysis for multiple nozzles and head types per ASME Section VIII Division 2 Part 5, Para. 5.2.3 and 5.2.4. [PRG-1446]

   

  • NozzlePRO’s Vessel Link can now consume and perform analyses using CEI’s JSON files. [PRG-605]

   

  • MiMOut, the generic output processor, can now display results for 2D Axisymmetric and 3D Bricks in the following ways:
    • Displays results in NozzlePRO for Axisymmetric and Brick models.
    • Displays results in FlangePRO (previously named as AxiPRO) for Axisymmetric and Brick Flange models.
    • Displays results in FEPipe for Axisymmetric and Brick Models. [PRG-987]

• Paulin Research Group 2023.2.0.1005 Release Notes

  New Features

  • The following enhancements are now available with PVPTPro:
    • Includes cylinder host options. [PRG-1231]
    • Includes cone host options. [PRG-1232]
    • The meshing algorithm for unstructured mesh has been improved for cylinder and cone hosts. [PRG-1231, PRG-1232]

  
  

  • PCL-Gold’s ASME B31.3 code now uses ASME B31J-2017 for intersections. [PRG-454]

  
  

  • The Flanged and Flued user’s manual has been updated. [PRG-1443]

• Paulin Research Group 2022.12.0.841 Release Notes

  New Features

  • The following enhancements have been made to PVPTPro:
    • Four shell and host types are now available, including Hemispherical Heads, Elliptical Heads, Dished/Torispherical Heads and Flat Heads. (PRG-783, PRG-784, PRG-785)
    • Three different nozzle types are now available, including Unreinforced, Heavy Barrel and Pad Reinforced nozzles. (PRG-973, PRG-1026)
    • The ability to model four nozzles simultaneously is now available. (PRG-897, PRG-912, PRG-927)
    • A recommendation message is now displayed when a coarse or crude mesh is used for an analysis to inform the user the results should not be used for the final analysis. (PRG-1057)
    • New code compliance options are now available, including PVPTPro Default, Conservative, Liberal and User Defined. (PRG-837)

   

  • A window with recent news and events regarding PRG and CEI software is now displayed when PRG is opened. (PRG-1016)

• Paulin Research Group 2022.9.0.588 Release Notes

  New Features

  • The PVPTPro module is now available, which accounts for hemispherical heads with up to two unreinforced or straight nozzles modeled simultaneously so that the interaction of stiffnesses and stresses can be analyzed. PRG-611

  
  

  • An option to run an analysis of a Type 2 Lug from DesignCalcs longitudinal plates on cylinders and heads in NozzlePRO is now available. PRG-610

  
  

  • The startup software window has been updated to display new icon graphics for each module to align with PRG’s branding. Additionally, the following UI changes have been made:
    • AxiPRo is now displayed as FlangePro.
    • Flange Condense is now displayed as Flange Wizard.
    • 661Pro is now displayed as BoxPro.
    • Pipe Shoe Design Wizard is now displayed as PipeSupport Pro. PRG-556

   

  • A new FSE program suite for thick wall expansion joints is now available. PRG-646

  
  

  • The stress plots functionality is now available when running a modal analysis for shell elements in MiMOut. PRG-540

• Paulin Research Group 2022.6.0.280 Release Notes

  Features

  • The following general features are now available: 
    • PRG is now integrated with CEI. 
    • Stress classification options have been added to address different interpretations of ASME stress definitions. 
    • A tool has been added to aid users in determining a Degree of Conservatism. 
    • PRG Help Documentation has now been consolidated into a new format. 

  
  

  • The following features are now available with NozzlePRO: 
    • NozzlePRO Vessel Link is now available. 
    • NozzlePRO can now be integrated with DesignCalcs and Finglow. 

  
  

  • Several ASME Section VIII, Div 2 Part 5 Compliance updates and expansions are now available. 

  
  

  • The Allowable Nozzle Loads feature now works with NozzlePRO Vessel Link. 

  
  

  • Updated buckling guidelines for nozzles, branches, and pipe shoes are now available. 

  
  

  • The PCL Gold Sustained Stress Indexes (SSIs) updates are now available. 

  
  

  • The Cumulative Damage – TES Calculations feature is now available. 

  
  

  • Fillet weld modeling enhancements and options have been added with the Fillet Overreach Model Construction Guidelines feature. 

  
  

  • Reinforcing pad modeling options have been added. 

  
  

  • The Drawing Tools feature set has been expanded. 

   

  • Stability Processor Note updates are now available.     
    
    
  • Several options for phased harmonic loads have been added. 
    
    
  • The Nonlinear Elastic Plastic Solver has been updated in several ways.