SECTION 3

Configuration Editor

Main window ribbon: Utilities > Tools > Configure

Main window menu: Tools > Configure/Setup
Specifies configuration options for CAESAR II and saves the options to the CAESAR.cfg file.
Displays the Configuration Editor dialog box.
The CAESAR.cfg configuration file contains instructions that dictate how the software operates
on your computer and how it performs a particular analysis. Each time that you open the
software, it searches for this configuration file in the current data directory and uses it to perform
the analysis.
If the configuration file is not found in the current data directory, the software then
searches the installation folder. If the configuration file is not found in either location, a fatal error
is generated and CAESAR II exits.
The CAESAR.cfg file may vary from computer to computer, and many of the
configuration spreadsheet values modify the analysis. To produce identical results between
computers, use the same configuration file. Make a copy of the setup file to be archived with
input and output data so that identical reruns can be made. The units file, if it is modified, must
also be identical if the same results are to be produced.

1. To display the CAESAR.cfg file, click Tools > Configure/Setup .

The CAESAR II Configuration Editor window displays. The attributes for Computational
Control display.
In the left-hand pane, the configuration spreadsheets categories display.
In the right-hand pane, the configuration spreadsheet values for that category display.
The Data Directory displays the path where the current configuration file is stored.
2. Click the title in the Categories pane to navigate to the appropriate configuration
spreadsheets.
3. Click the X in the right-hand corner to exit.

1. Click Tools > Configure/Setup to display the CAESAR.cfg file.

The CAESAR II Configuration Editor window displays. The attributes for Computational
Control display.
2. Click Save and Exit located in the top-left corner of the Configuration Editor window.

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1. To display the CAESAR.cfg file, click Tools > Configure/Setup .

The CAESAR II Configuration Editor window displays. The attributes for Computational
Control display.
2. Click the description to change a value for a configuration attribute,
A drop-down menu which contains the possible values for the attribute displays.
3. Select a new value.
The new value displays in bold text.
4. Continue changing values until you are finished.
5. Click Save and Exit located in the top-left corner of the Configuration Editor window.

Click Alt D to reset an individual field value in the current configuration file to its default
value.
Click Reset All -> Set Current Defaults to reset all the values for the current configuration
file to the default values.
1. Click Tools > Configure/Setup to display the CAESAR.cfg file.
The CAESAR II Configuration Editor window displays. The attributes for Computational
Control display.
2. Click the Reset All drop-down menu.
The various default file options display.
3. Select a default file.
The values in left-hand pane change to the default values. Values change to normal text
from bold text.
4. Save the changes.
The following sections explain each of the CAESAR II configuration file Category options.

In This Section
Computational Control ................................................................... 54
Database Definitions...................................................................... 60
FRP Pipe Properties ...................................................................... 66
Geometry Directives ...................................................................... 70
Graphic Settings ............................................................................ 72
Miscellaneous Options................................................................... 87
SIFs and Stresses ......................................................................... 91
Set/Change Password ................................................................... 103

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Computational Control
The Computational Control category provides access to the following groups of configuration
settings:
Convergence Tolerances (on page 54)
Input Spreadsheet Defaults (on page 56)
Miscellaneous (on page 58)

Figure 1: Computation Control Configuration Settings

Convergence Tolerances
Topics
Decomposition Singularity Tolerance ............................................ 55
Friction Angle Variation.................................................................. 55
Friction Normal Force Variation ..................................................... 55
Friction Slide Multiplier................................................................... 55
Friction Stiffness ............................................................................ 55
Rod Increment (Degrees) .............................................................. 56
Rod Tolerance (Degrees) .............................................................. 56

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Defines the value used by the software to check the ratio of off-diagonal to on-diagonal
coefficients in the row. The default value is 1.0 e+10. If this ratio is greater than the
decomposition singularity tolerance, then a numerical error may occur. This problem does not
have to be associated with a system singularity. This condition can exist when very small, and/or
long pipes are connected to very short, and/or large pipes. These solutions have several general
characteristics:
When computer precision errors of this type occur, they are very local in nature. They
typically affect only a single element or very small part of the model and are readily
noticeable upon inspection.
The 1E10 limit can be increased to 1E11 or 1E12 and still provide a reasonable check on
solution accuracy. Any solution computed after increasing the limit should always be
checked closely for reasonableness. At 1E11 or 1E12, the number of significant figures in
the local solution is reduced to two or three.
Although the 1E10 limit can be increased to 1E20 or 1E30 to get the job to run, it is
important to remember that the possibility for a locally errant solution exists when stiffness
ratios are allowed to get this high. Solutions should be carefully checked.

Specifies the friction sliding angle variation. The default value is 15-degrees.
This parameter had more significance in software versions prior to 2.1. It is currently
only used in the first iteration when a restraint goes from the non-sliding to sliding state. All
subsequent iterations compensate for the angle variation automatically.

Defines the amount of variation in the normal force that is permitted before an adjustment is
made in the sliding friction force. The default value is 0.15, or 15 percent. Normally, you should
not adjust this value.

Specifies the internal friction sliding force multiplier.

You should never adjust this value unless you are instructed to do so by
Intergraph CAS Support.

Specifies the friction restraint stiffness.

The default value for the friction restraint stiffness is 1.0E+06 lb/in.
If the structural load normal to a friction restraint is less than the restraint load multiplied by the
coefficient of friction, the pipe will not move at this support this restraint node is "non-sliding."
To model the non-sliding state, stiffnesses are inserted in the two directions perpendicular to the
restraint's line of action to oppose any sliding motion.

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Nonlinear convergence problems may be alleviated by reducing the friction restraint stiffness.
Lower friction stiffness will more readily distribute friction loads throughout the system and allow
nonlinear convergence. However, this lower stiffness affects the accuracy of the results. Lower
stiffness values permit more "non-sliding" movement, but given the indeterminate nature of the
friction problem in general, this error may not be crucial.

Specifies the maximum amount of angular change that any one support can experience
between iterations. For difficult-to-converge problems, values of 0.1 have proven effective.
When small values are used, you should be prepared for a large number of iterations. The total
number of iterations can be estimated from the following:
Estimate number of Iterations = 1.5(x)/(r)/(Rod Increment)
Where:
x = maximum horizontal displacement at any one rod
r = rod length at that support

Specifies the angular plus-or-minus permitted convergence error. Unless the change from
iteration n to iteration n+1 is less than this value, the rod will not converge. The default value is
1.0 degree.
For systems subject to large horizontal displacements, values of 5.0 degrees for
convergence tolerances have been used successfully.

Input Spreadsheet Defaults

Topics
Alpha Tolerance ............................................................................. 56
Coefficient of Friction (Mu)............................................................. 57
Default Rotational Restraint Stiffness ............................................ 57
Default Translational Restraint Stiffness ....................................... 57
Hanger Default Restraint Stiffness ................................................ 57
Minimum Wall Mill Tolerance (%) .................................................. 57
New Job Ambient Temperature ..................................................... 57
New Job Bourdon Pressure ........................................................... 58

Indicates the breakpoint at which CAESAR II decides that the entry in the Temp fields on the
input spreadsheet is a thermal expansion coefficient or a temperature. The default value is 0.05.
Any entry in the Temp fields whose absolute magnitude is less than 0.05 is taken to be a
thermal expansion coefficient in terms of inches per inch (dimensionless).

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