Offshore Structural Analysis Software

Perform Advanced Structural Analysis

The PSE software has comprehensive structural analysis methods such as FEA Finite Elements Analysis, Static Analysis, Linear and Nonlinear Analysis, P-Delta Analysis, Natural Frequency Analysis, Static Equivalent Seismic Analysis, Dynamic Time-History Analysis, Seismic Time-History Analysis, Modal Analysis, Spatial Objects and Spatial Loads, Buckling Analysis, Response Spectrum Analysis, Advanced Section Stress Analysis, Torsion and Warping, Built Up Sections, Catenary Cables, Nonlinear springs, Diaphragm Analysis, Horizontal Notional Loads, Loads and Load Combinations.

State-of-the-art analysis tools
FEA including plates and shell elements
Torsion including restrained warping of open sections
Linear and exact non-linear cable elements (catenary cables)

Non-linear analysis using load control and displacement control strategy for better convergence
Possibility to add non-structural components using spatial objects

Complying with seismic requirements
Automated static equivalent method of the building codes (NBCC and IBC)
Seismic response spectrum, seismic time-history, and dynamic time-history analysis
Customized response spectrums and accelerograms
Fully customizable analysis parameters
Maximal response using CQC and SRSS methods
Automated or user defined damping
Graphical display of response spectrums and accelerograms
User defined incidence angle of seismic loads and vertical components
Customized analysis and output time steps
Time-history results can be provided for selected parts of the models

Benefit from result animation

The PSE software allows users to animate results from different types of analysis such as:
Static linear analysis
Static P-Delta analysis
Buckling analysis
Natural frequencies analysis
Seismic and dynamic analysis

Users can animate various static linear and P-Delta analysis results such as:
Structure displacements
Internal forces
Stresses
Support reactions

Frequency and Buckling
The frequency and buckling analysis provide multiple mode shapes describing multiple behaviors of the structure. With large models, the animation is helpful to discern and understand the mode shapes. It is easier to determine if the buckling mode is a local or global phenomenon. It also provides a very accurate interpretation of the participating mass of each mode in a seismic spectral analysis.

Time-History
The animation function displays every saved time-step to provide an accurate representation of the displacements, velocities, accelerations and internal forces acting on the structure.

This will provide users a better understanding of the structure behavior during the dynamic event, such as finding the critical time of the dynamic loading.

Animating the envelopes helps minimizing the amount of information on the screen. Users can focus on the most critical regions of the model.

Learn more about the Animation Feature

Design and Verification in Compliance with American Standards

Design and verification are carried out in accordance with American standards AISC 360-16 (LRFD and ASD), AISC-LRFD-99, and AISC-ASD-89. The PSE software accounts for axial compression, bending, tension, axial flexion, shear, as well as torsion and warping design.

Software Capabilities

Petroleum Structural Engineering® software incorporates reduced section properties for structural steel sections from the AISC standard section library in the 14th Edition of the AISC Steel Construction Manual (T_eff = 0.93 T_nominal). It includes the Direct Analysis Method (DAM) and the Effective Length Method (kL) as outlined in AISC 360-16. The DAM considers initial imperfections using theoretical loads and reduces stiffness according to AISC 360-16. It also provides a semi-automated command to calculate buckling factors (K).

Features and Standards

• Standard profiles: CISC, AISC, or European sections, or parametric profiles (various shapes available).
• Customizable calculation parameters: Resistance calculations (unsupported lengths, buckling lengths, buckling factors, etc.) can be customized graphically or through spreadsheets.
• Compliance with the latest revisions of standards: CAN/CSA S16, AISC ASD and LRFD, and Eurocode 3 and 4.
• Latest revisions of CSA S136 and AISI S100 standards.
• Symmetric, asymmetric, and built-up sections covered for all design standards.
• Limit state design results represented with color-coded outputs.

Steel Verification

Steel verification includes classification, strength, and stability checks as per the design standards. The software calculates the strength of steel elements under bending, compression, tension, shear, and combined forces based on linear analysis, P-Delta, non-linear, seismic, and dynamic analysis results.

Intuitive modeling features

Users can model structures using an intuitive graphical user interface powered by DirectX 11 and OpenGL 2.0 for increased speed and capabilities and generate executive and customizable formatted reports in Microsoft Word and Excel worksheets.

Manipulate models graphically with extreme flexibility.
The unmatched graphical user interface of the PSE software allows to create, analyze and design large and complex bridge models quickly and easily. Bridge models can be shown as lines, wire frames, or can be rendered as 3D solids. Functionalities of the PSE program allow to generate automatically detail elements in an automatically generated mesh perimeter. An object transparency option is available for various components such as current selection, solid members, plates, surfaces, spatial objects, panels.

Versatile modelling tools
The PSE software includes powerful and productive features to generate any type of models:
Local coordinate systems
Linear or circular lines of constructions for model creations
Automated commands for model creation such as move, rotate, extrude, copy, attach, subdivide and others
Models can be edited either graphically or by means of spreadsheets
Elements can be created in batch or one by one
Elements of the models can be selected either graphically or according to a set of criterions
Persistent groups of selected objects can be created and edited graphically or by means of spreadsheets
Powerful edition and automatic generation tools
Similar connected members can be merged together
Elements of the structure can be renumbered according to several criterions
Element attributes can be set graphically or by means of spreadsheets (sections, analysis parameters, rotation angles, etc.)
Surfaces can be used for load transfer and self-weight calculation.

Unit systems
Metric, imperial, and mixed unit systems are allowed and can be modified at any time.
Reports are printed according to any unit system.

Display features

The program manages to scale the size of the various pictures including toolbar buttons in order to make the user interface easy to use on every monitor, even on very high-resolution monitors.
3D solid display of all section shapes.
Ultra-fast 3D visualization in wire frame or solid modes.
Customized display of all graphical objects.
Partial model visualization.
Results can be displayed on screen for the whole or a part of the structure.
Results can be displayed for each element separately by means of graphics and numerical results spreadsheets.
Results can be displayed for a set of elements by means of numerical results spreadsheets.
Graphical display of seismic and dynamic analysis results.
Model size limited only to the physical capacity of the computer.
Objects transparency for various components such as current selection, solid members, plates, surfaces, spatial objects, panels.
The level of transparency may be customized for each type of object from the Display Options command.
Functionalities of the PSE program allow to generate automatically detail elements in an automatically generated mesh perimeter.
These functionalities are specifically related to the refinement area, the opening, the linear constraint and the punctual constraint.
All detail elements added to the PSE model will be automatically connected to the finite element mesh.
The mesh perimeter will also connect any elements already in the model to the mesh perimeter automatically if they are in the plane of the mesh contour.

Comprehensive reports

The PSE software provides an exhaustive set of result features that include graphical views, diagrams, numerical tables, and text reports.

Results can be visualized either graphically or numerically.
Customized list of input data and results to be printed.
All graphics can be printed or copied to the clipboard for use in external programs.
Reports can be generated in:
-Microsoft Word
-Microsoft Excel
-Unformatted text (.txt)
Generate the report for the whole model or a selection of elements.
Printing limit states results for the critical results only for each member or for physical member for the critical combination.

File import and data exchange

IFC (INDUSTRY FOUNDATION CLASSES)
The integration of the IFC in the PSE program enables importation of models from a large number of architectural and structural software. IFC-Architecture interface for importing models from Revit or other IFC compliant programs.
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open and neutral data format allowing the definition of related classes to all construction objects. It is dedicated to the building sector and aims to software interoperability (all editors, all applications).
IFC is the most widely used protocol for information exchange and sharing between different platforms of BIM (Building Information Modeling).

AutoCAD interface to import and export models by way of a DXF file.
The solid view of the structure may also be exported when exporting to AutoCAD.

The SDNF (Steel Detailing Neutral File) interface exports beams, columns and braces to SDNF compatible detailing software.
The KISS (Keep It Simple Steel) interface exports beams, columns and braces to KISS compatible estimation software.
If required, members subdivision and account for physical elements will be carried out automatically.