AVEVA PDMS 12.

0
The 3D plant design application for accurate and clash-free plant design

The process and power industries seek to commission high-quality plant earlier, Business Benefits
and to bring it on line with minimum cost and minimum risk. Achieving this in the Summary:
design domain requires highly functional and productive applications that can be
• Reduced site rework.
executed effectively across globally distributed project teams.
• More effective use of globally
AVEVA PDMS allows teams of designers to work together, each with their own specialist dispersed design teams.
3D colour-shaded environment, but able to view all of the design going on around
• Higher design efficiency.
them.
• Improved quality.
As the designers work, PDMS builds a sophisticated plant database from which all of the
layout and detail drawings can be produced, together with accurate Material Take Off • Clear identification of the cost
(MTO) information and all kinds of project reports such as Line List or Valve Schedules. of changes.

• Reduced schedule times.

AVEVA PDMS can design every detail – The PDMS approach enables a wide There are no limits to project size or
even on the world’s largest projects
range of sophisticated design checks complexity. PDMS is proven on
to be carried out across all aspects projects ranging from the smallest
of the design to check and improve refit to the largest green field
quality. Drawings and reports are projects, and is compatible with all
generated directly from the model the engineering issue, revision and
database to ensure consistency change-control processes required
between design information and the across such projects.
project deliverables.

PLANT

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Business Benefits Key Features
Reduced site rework Overview

• Higher quality design. The ability to perform multiple design checks • PDMS provides a fully interactive, easy-to-use 3D environment for
across the entire design eliminates errors, and enables 'right-first- every designer on the project, supported by a Microsoft Office-style
time' engineering. user interface based on .NET technology and the latest in 3D graphical
interaction tools.
• Accurate materials information eliminates over-ordering and delays
on site due to a lack of required materials or information. • As the designers work with their specialist functions, they have
visibility of the entire design at all times. To create their part of the
More effective use of globally dispersed design teams design they place instances of parametric components from a
catalogue (under the control of engineering specifications) and, in
• PDMS, combined with AVEVA Global, allows geographically separate
doing so, they construct a highly intelligent PDMS database.
design teams to work together as though they were in a single
office. The environment delivers high performance for the designer, • Clash checking and configurable integrity checking rules identify
centralised administration, control, and protection from errors and inconsistencies across the design.
communication limitations or failures.
• Conventional issue, revision, and change control processes can all be
• Effective use can be made of design capability, wherever it exists. applied without introducing a large overhead or delays in projects
Project teams can be quickly assembled and mobilised. which can have many hundred users.
Higher design efficiency • State-of-the-art 3D editing features with graphical handles and
numeric feedback make design and modification quick and easy.
• Powerful design applications for each discipline, built upon a highly
visual and interactive 3D environment, with a Microsoft Office-style
user interface, means that designers can become productive very
quickly.

• High levels of automation, intelligent behaviour and rule-based

features deliver increased productivity across all disciplines.

• The ability to share component information and to reuse design

data between projects reduces man-hours and schedule time.

Improved quality

• 3D multi-discipline working environment improves communication

between teams and facilitates 'right-first-time' design.

• Clash checking, integrity checking and rule-based checking tools

ensure higher quality designs and less rework.

• Database-driven drawing production achieves consistency between

drawings, reports and design data.

Clear identification of the cost of changes

• Automatic change highlighting options, both in the design

database and on drawings, make it easier to identify and
communicate change, and to identify the party responsible for any
given change.

• Ability to compare and highlight changes between specific dates,

revisions and milestones. Design and Modification is quick and easy – even for the novice user

Reduced schedule times

• Reduced site work, concurrent multi-location engineering, higher

design efficiency and higher quality all combine to reduce schedule
time.

• Greater ability to react quickly to major project changes, including

the capability to change the project structure during project
execution and to dynamically add in new locations or remove
existing ones, all protect the project schedule.
 Equipment

• The Equipment functions build 3D models for all kinds of plant items,
from pumps and exchangers through to complex items such as reactor
vessels and compressors. They are used in all kinds of layout studies,
arrangement drawings and connectivity or clash checks.

An example of association rules

• Built-in intelligence, combined with configurable rules and

associations, ensure that designers are highly productive during all A typical AVEVA PDMS Equipment model
design and modification activities.
• Multiple graphical representations are available, so that spaces
• Design rules created between plant items (for example, to link a range required for key maintenance activities can be visualised and clash-
of pipes to a penetration or to ensure that a piece of equipment is checked during layout and design.
correctly located over supporting beams) can be rechecked
automatically at any time during the design. • To create an equipment item in the design, the relevant template is
selected and the required parameters are defined.
• Design and component information from earlier PDMS projects can be
reused or shared across multiple projects. Utilities to change pipe size • Equipment templates allow complex parameterised design
or specification enable rapid modification to adjust to new project configurations to be defined so that they can be quickly and easily
conditions. reused, even across multiple projects.

• A general import function from

Microsoft Excel allows large
volumes of data from external
sources to be analysed on line
and bulk-loaded into the design.

• The standard PDMS application

can be customised to fit
individual industry or project
requirements, or to add further
design rules or automation into
the design process.

• Undo and Redo facilities are

widely available. Whole or part
projects can be rewound to any
previous state.
An equipment template

• Equipment items include intelligent connection points, with relevant

attributes, for the connection of associated piping, ducting,
instrument and electrical systems.
Key Features (continued)
Piping

• The Piping functions build a fully detailed model of all piping systems, • The Quick Pipe Routing function enables the user to define the route of
based on component catalogues and engineering specifications. From a pipe by using the mouse pointer to specify changes in direction,
the piping model, Piping General Arrangement drawings, isometric either in absolute terms, or relative to other model features. The route
drawings and bills of quantity are produced. can be orthogonal or non-orthogonal. Components can be positioned
explicitly or using feature snapping. The route can be completed
• A full range of automatically generated piping isometrics is available, automatically where completion is predictable.
from complete system isometrics, through to fabrication and erection
isometrics and individual spool isometrics. An enormous number of
options are available to fit any given industry, national, company or
project requirement.

Quick pipe routing

Piping isometrics with full MTO are produced automatically • Sophisticated modification capabilities are available at each stage to
allow the piping design to be further developed. These include highly
• PDMS manages and integrates all stages of the piping workflow from interactive graphical editing functions, together with functions to
initial conceptual routing at the beginning of a project, through basic apply specification and pipe bore changes across the line, and to
and detailed design and on to individual pipe spooling at the define and modify slopes.
fabricator.
• Piping Assemblies such as vents, drains or control sets can be added to
• PDMS piping integrates with AVEVA Multi-Discipline Supports for the the design as an entity. Existing configurations can be saved as
detail design of pipe supports, and with specialist pipe stress Assemblies and reused elsewhere.
applications, via the AVEVA Pipe Stress Interface. Custom interfaces to
flow calculation systems, wall thickness calculation and other software
can easily be created.

• The Automated pipe routing function allows a preliminary route and

MTO to be created very quickly. The routing includes an automatic
selection of required items such as gaskets and flanges.

Regularly used pipe assemblies can be stored and re-used throughout the design
 HVAC and Ducting

• All drawings, including Piping General Arrangements and isometrics, • PDMS provides a specialist function for the design of all types of
have associative dimensions and intelligent annotations, and can ducting.
therefore be updated automatically in line with design changes.
• The function uses an engineering specification to select parametric
• Accurate MTO information can be generated on each sheet or drawing, components from a catalogue allowing a full 3D model to be built.
or via separate reports for any System, Line, Area, and so on.
• A Fill command automatically fills the straight parts of the route with
• As the design reaches fabrication, the PDMS spooling functionality the appropriate number of straight lengths.
manages the creation of individual spool isos, including the creation of
fully intelligent weld items in the model database, which can be • In-line equipment such as dampers, vanes, diffusers and hoods can all
maintained across multiple revision cycles. be included.

• Pipe production checks for bending and flange rotation can be carried • The ducting model can be split into spool parts for manufacture and
out to check against the actual machines to be used for manufacture, pre-assembly and automatic spool and isometric drawings can be
to ensure that the design easily fits the capabilities of the machines. automatically produced.
Flange rotation checking enables checking that bolt holes in mating
• PDMS integrates with AVEVA Multi-Discipline Supports for the design of
flanges are correctly aligned with each other.
ducting supports.

Ducting design and spool drawing

Key Features (continued)
Structural and Architectural

• PDMS contains a number of specialist functions for the design and • Intelligent, parametric penetrations can be defined, together with full
detailing of steel and concrete structures found in typical process and details such as kick plates, and connected to the structure and the
power plants. A wide range of layout/arrangement and detail penetrating item (for example, pipe or duct) so that alignment and
component drawings can be produced, together with accurate weight other checks can be carried out.
and MTO information.
• Structural modelling makes extensive use of parameterised catalogues
• The Beams and Columns function defines and maintains a fully for components such as section profiles, joints, and fittings. These
connected nodal network of structural sections including all joint and catalogues can be added to by the user to suit particular project or
fitting details. A simple regular structure can be created in a single other requirements.
step. The nodal network, coupled with the ability to define loads in the
model, supports integration with analysis software. • Profile catalogues cover the leading international and national profile
standards, including angles, channels and I-beams.
• Standard bracing configurations are available and can be customised
as required. • Joint catalogues contain
standard types of joints
• Curved, tapered and built-up beams are all available. including cleats, end plates and
sniped end preparations. Joint
definitions are parameterised so
that, if a section related to a
joint is resized, the joint can be
resized automatically.

• Fitting catalogues contain a

selection of parameterised
structural and industrial fittings
including lifting lugs, stiffeners,
windows and doors.

• A range of interfacing options is

available to link to specialist A complex joint
analysis software and specialist
Regular structures can be designed from a single input form structural fabrication systems.

• The Panels and Plates function defines and maintains flat panels of any
shape.

• The Walls and Floors function

enables designers to define and
maintain walls and floors of
standard shapes.

• Fittings can be added to all types

of beams, plates, walls, floors
and so on, to apply items such as
doors, windows, intelligent
piping penetrations, stiffeners,
lifting lugs and fire-proofing.

• The Access Platforms, Stairs and

Ladders functionality allows
designers to create and
manipulate access platforms,
stairs, stair towers, ladders, and
similar items. The model is built
from a set of customer-definable
parametric standards and
includes all details for each
structure such as handrails and
kick plates. These structures can
be modified later in the design
simply by adjusting the original
parameters.

The initial concept level ladder / platform arrangement can be intelligently developed to achieve a completed detail design
Electrical and Instrumentation Catalogues and Specifications

• PDMS allows all electrical and instrument items, including electrical • An extensive set of catalogues covering industry, national and
cabinets, transformers and switchgear, to be located in the 3D model international standards is available, including piping, structural steel,
for the purposes of plant layout, visualisation, clash checking and ducting, hangers, supports and cable trays.
production of arrangement drawings.
• Each catalogue provides the parametric definition of all components in
• Electrical and off-line Instrument 3D items can be created from the required size ranges, ratings and types. So, for piping component
parameterised templates. connection types, physical and nominal size, material codes and bolt
requirements are all stored.
• Valves and in-line instruments are selected from catalogues via
engineering specifications, and the workflow is fully integrated with • Engineering specifications control the way in which components from
piping design, enabling such items to be detailed, for example on the catalogues may be used in the design.
piping isometrics, as required.
• Standard catalogues can be defined once and shared across multiple
• The PDMS cable tray function selects components from a catalogue via projects.
an engineering specification and creates the complete cable tray
layout. A Fill command automatically fills the straight parts of the • New catalogue items, for instance for project specials, can easily be
route with the appropriate number of straight lengths. created by the user.

• Cable Tray drawings can be generated for manufacturing purposes.

• PDMS integrates with AVEVA Cable Design for routing electrical and
instrument cables in the design, and integrates with AVEVA Multi-
Discipline Supports for the design of cable tray supports.

Drawings and Reports

• All drawings are produced directly from the PDMS database. The
annotation and dimensions on these drawings are also generated
directly from the database, ensuring high levels of consistency
between documents and design.

• Updates to drawing automatically include the latest design changes.

Automatic change highlighting can be used to clearly show changes
compared to the previous version.

Adding or modifying catalogue components is a simple, straightforward activity

• Controlled changes to component and specifications are quick and easy

and there are many functions to manage, control and apply such
changes across the design.

Management and Control

• PDMS is designed to support large teams of designers working together

An example of change highlighting in a drawing. The changes since the last revision are
in a controlled and managed way. It has sophisticated and highly
colour coded. Red items are new. Green items have changed annotation. Cyan items are configurable access and change control tools to allow the system to be
modified. tailored for an enormous variety of engineering work practices and
project situations.
• Drawings are available in AutoCAD- and MicroStation-compatible
formats. • Work breakdown structures can be changed in line with the evolving
project needs, for example, to adapt to changes when construction
• Layout and other drawings can be finished entirely in PDMS.
contracts are awarded.
Alternatively, they can be transferred to AutoCAD using AVEVA Final
Designer, so that available AutoCAD-skilled labour can be used. • With the use of AVEVA Global, the standard PDMS capabilities can be
extended to manage a PDMS project across geographically separate
• Flexible reporting capabilities enable all types of reports and schedules
locations.
to be produced direct from the PDMS database, such as valve or nozzle
schedules, which can be produced in CSV or other formats.

• Accurate Material Take Off (MTO) information is available across all

disciplines by item, unit, area and so on.

• Reporting options include surface area, weight and centre of gravity.

Key Features (continued)
Change Management • Customer-defined engineering data checks are available to ensure the
design is in accordance with design rules and project and company
• Session management capabilities quality standards.
enable project roll-back to any
previous configuration of a
project. This is possible because
the model database grows by
adding layers of data, from each
session, that record the parts of
the model changed during the
session. This also means that the
full change history of any part of
the model can be shown.

• Change highlighting facilities

mean that modelling and
drawing changes from a previous
version, or from a specific date
and time in the past, can be
displayed on screen or in AVEVA PDMS manages a full version history
drawings in highlighted colours. of all changes made to the database by An engineering check for potential dripping flanges placed above instruments and
saving the changes made in every session equipment
Reports of changes can also be
as a new layer of data in the database.
created. • Association rules built into the design model (for example, to locate
electrical cabinets in line with floor or ceiling penetrations) can be
validated at any time.

Localisation

• An extensive range of international character sets can be used for

data, catalogues, drawings, reports and user interface, including many
multi-byte (Asian) and single-byte (European) character sets.

• Feet/inches and metric units are available throughout.

Customisation and Configuration

• There is a customisable graphical user interface, and powerful object-

oriented macro language for customising the operation of the system
to fit the needs of any particular project, industry or workflow, to add
custom automation functions or to create interfaces with in-house or
third-party applications.

Change highlighting in the model. The picture shows changes since a certain date. New • An open programming environment allows customers to develop their
items are marked in yellow and modified items are marked in orange own applications on top of the standard PDMS. The .NET technology
means that these applications can be written in any compatible .NET
Quality Checking language, such as C or C++, as well as in PDMS’s programmable macro
language (PML).
• Automatic multi-discipline clash detection is available for designers
while modelling, and detailed clash reports can also be created on Integration and Interfacing
demand. A separate product, AVEVA Clash Manager, is also available to
support the management actions involved in approving and resolving • A variety of interfaces to analysis systems, drafting systems and third-
clashes. party design systems are available.

• Data consistency checks of the model are made for correct alignment • A wide range of data exchange formats is supported, including DXF,
of components and correct connections between components. DGN, SDNF and CSV.

AVEVA believes the information in this publication is correct as of its publication date. As part of continued product development, such information is subject to change without prior notice and is related to the current
software release. AVEVA is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. All product names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective holders.

© Copyright 2007 AVEVA Group plc. All rights reserved. PDMS/DS/07

PLANT

AVEVA Group plc

High Cross Madingley Road Cambridge CB3 0HB UK
Tel +44 (0)1223 556655 Fax +44 (0)1223 556666
www.aveva.com