CAESAR II Local Coordinate Definitions Page 1 of 3

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CAESAR II Local Coordinate Definitions

Rule 1 - Straight Pipe: For straight pipe elements, the local "x" axis always points from the "FROM node" to the "To Node". The local "y" axis can be found by the
vector cross product of the local "x" axis with the global "Y" axis. Applying the "right hand rule", this local "y" axis can be found by performing the following steps:

1. Lay your right hand on the pipe, with the wrist at the "FROM node", and the fingers pointing to the "To Node".
2. Align or rotate your hand so that the global "Y" axis points perpendicularly out from the palm. The thumb is now aligned with the local "y" axis for this
element.

The local "z" axis can be found by the vector cross product of the local "x" and local "y" axes.

An exception to this rule is the case of a vertical element. In this case, the local "x" axis is still aligned in the "From - To" direction. However, you can't "cross" a
vertical element into global "Y", so the local "y" axis was arbitrarily assigned to align with the global "X" axis.

The straight elements of the model in Figure 7 are reproduced below in Figure 11, along with their local coordinate systems. Notice that each of these straight
elements has its own local coordinate system, and that in this model, they are all aligned differently.

Figure 11 - Local Coordinate Systems for Straight Elements (1)

In Figure 11, the positive direction of the local "x" axis for each element is defined accord ing to the "From - To" definition of the element. For example, the local
"x" axis of element 10-20 is aligned with the positive global "X" axis, because that is the direction defined in moving from node 10 to node 20. The local "x" axis of
element 30-40 is aligned with the negative global "Z" axis, because that is the direction defined in moving from node 30 to node 40. Figure 11 should be studied to
ensure a good understanding of how the local element coordinate system can be defined based on the definition of the element, especially with regard to the
skewed element 40-50.

As an additional example, the local element coordinate systems for the rotated system of Figure 10 are shown below in Figure 12.

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Figure 12 - Local Coordinate Systems for Straight Elements (2)

Rule 2 - Bend Elements: For the "near weld line" of bend elements, the local "x" axis is directed along the incoming tangent, in the "From – To" direction. The
local "z" axis points to the center of the circle described by the bend. For the "far weld line" of bend elements, the local "x" axis is directed along the outgoing
tangent, in the "From – To" direction. The local "z" axis points to the center of the circle described by the bend. In both cases, the local "y" axis can be found by
applying the "right hand rule". The local coordinate system for the bends in the example model of Figure 7 display below in Figure 13.

Figure 13 – Local Coordinate Systems for Bend Elements

Rule 3 - Tee Elements: For tees, there is no element or "fitting" as there is in a CAD application. Rather designating a node as a tee simply applies code defined
SIFs at that point, for the three elements framing into the tee node. As usual, the local "x"axis is defined by the element "From - To" direction. The local "y" axis
coincides with the line that defines the "in-plane" plane of the tee (in other words, the local "y" axis is perpendicular to the plane of the three tee elements). The
positive direction of the local "y" axis is found by (vectorally) crossing the local "x" axis of the header element with the local "x" axis of the branch, and then
(strangely enough) reversing the sign (direction). (In those cases where the two header elements have opposite local "x" axes, CAESAR II chooses the first one
that it finds.) The local "z" axis can then be determined using the right-hand rule.

Note that the local "z" axis coincides with the "out-of-plane" axis of the tee, for each element. Examples of local coordinates for elements framing into tees are
depicted below in Figure 14.

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Figure 14 - Local Coordinate Systems for Tee Elements

See Also
Local Coordinates
Other Global Coordinate Systems
The Right Hand Rule
Pipe Stress Analysis Coordinate
Systems
Defining a Model
Using Local Coordinates
Applications - Utilizing Global and
Local Coordinates
Transforming from Global to Local
Frequently Asked Questions

CAESAR II Version 5.20

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