Nonstandard Valve Model for Pipe Stress Analysis: Angular, 3-way, 4-way, with Actuator
Angular Valve With Equal Legs
If the angular valve has equal legs, then it can be modeled using an ordinary valve element. Just put it into a node between two pipes. Pipes can have a different diameter. One half of valve length will be placed through the first pipe direction and one half through another.

Angular Valve With Unequal Legs
If the valve has unequal leg lengths, then it can be modeled using rigid elements. The total weight of rigid elements should be equal to the valve weight. To model temperature expansion the temperature and material should be specified in a rigid element. Also, flanges can be added into end nodes of the valve to check leakage.

Three-Way Valve
The three-way valve can be modeled just using 3 rigid elements. The total weight of rigid elements should be equal to the valve weight.

Four-Way Valve
In START-PROF four-way valve can be modeled using 4 rigid elements. The total weight of rigid elements should be equal to the valve weight.

Valve with Heavy Wheel, Actuator or Actuator Modeling
In START-PROF the heavy wheel or actuator can be modeled as node weight load at the actuator center of gravity. This mass should be connected to the valve using rigid elements with zero weight to consider eccentricity. Proper modeling of actuator eccentricity is especially important for seismic analysis of piping systems because the eccentric mass will produce a great additional torsion and bending moments on the piping system.
