Red-Bag has worked hard to create a completely new PCC revision 5 application. This was necessary to enable further improvement, addition of functionality and interfacing with other software in the future. The software is now made in C++ with the Qt framework.
The main purpose of the PCC application is:
- to contain all information of a pipe class in a database and
- to perform bulk calculations of all relevant components in a pipe class.
We have used the PIP PN01CS1S02 pipe class to see whether the PCC is capable of containing all information from such a pipe class. The PIP pipe class is commercially available at pip.org, note 1.
We have encountered some issues during the data entry of the pipe class and the calculation as per ASME B31.3. The remarks are listed below, the images are from PCC 5.0.122:
- material details are entered in the notes of PCC, such as ERW
- remarks in the heading of the pipe class such as stress relief and examination requirements are also entered in the notes of PCC
- the PN01CS1S02 heading does not show the applicable line sizes, the line sizes have taken from the branch table
Figure: line sizes as presented in PCC software
- butt welded fittings do not show the schedule, it is assumed that the schedule is the same as for the pipe (for the EN 13480-3 this would be a problem)
Figure: fitting schedules as presented in the PCC software
- the sequence of the fittings (BW, SW, THRD) seems a bit random
- the calculation of the 36" STD pipe for low temperatures does not seem to be valid as per ASME B31.3 calculation
Figure: part of summary with the pipe calculations, standard PCC report
Figure: part of pipe list calculation, standard PCC report
Figure: part of detail pipe calculation, standard PCC report
Figure: part of formulas used in pipe calculation, standard PCC report
- the indication of the sizes for reducers and reducing tees is not explained, for example 3" - 48" above 2" - 42", the first will be the large size and the second the small size, it can be concluded that all available size combinations are acceptable
- the schedule of a reducer 3"x2" could be misinterpreted it could be XS or STD, the experienced engineer will select the correct one
- weldolets are frequently used, but a 20" weldolet is very large, expensive to purchase and requires a lot of welding
- the branch table shows BW tee for 1 1/2" and smaller, this does not correspond with the fitting listing which has only BW tees 2" and larger
- the PN01CS1S02 pipe class does not use stubons, a 24"x8" reinforced stubon would be an alternative to a weldolet
- the valve listing does not refer to a dimension standard, this might be covered in the GAD8CB202 reference, for the dimension standard would be helpful for the piping designer
- the note 224 in the pipe class PN01CS1S02 with Sockolet, Thredolet, and SW Latrolet is not completely clear in relation to the fittings, the note 224 reads 'If Calc is shown under SCH/RAT, designers shall select the ... as applicable', CALC is only shown for 42" - 48" pipe, not with these fittings. The note 224 has however a relation with the shown pipe size to be calculated
Figure: note 224 with fittings
- Flatolet is used for almost flat surfaces, the flatolets in the pipe class PN01CS1S02 are also shown on 2" - 16" pipes
- the BW elbolet and BW flatolet do not refer to a dimension standard
- the bolt dimension and thread standard is missing in the pipe class PN01CS1S02
- the pipe class does not show an external pressure (vacuum) load case
- the material A234-WPB is used as A234-WPB-S (seamless) and A234-WPB-W (welded), it is not clear why welded is used for sizes above 2"
- there are no 300# flanges available for instrument connections
The above are remarks when we entered the pipe class in PCC as a test of the software. There is probably a good reason for all above issues, however it shows that when entering a pipe class in software such as PCC will allow you to have a detail review all the components in the pipe class.
Note 1: PIP has been contacted by Red-Bag about the publication of this article and received the approval for publication on 2026-05-01.