Fluids & C° and the PASS Team are pleased to announce the release of PASS/NOZZLE-FEM 3.6, the engineering software for stress and flexibility analysis of nozzle-to-shell junctions using the Finite Element Method. The latest build, 3.6.2, is available now.
A faster FEM engine
Version 3.6 introduces a new finite element engine built on a modern multi-threaded sparse direct solver. Calculations run significantly faster on multi-core processors, and the gain grows with model size — for example when you analyse several nozzles or attachments on the same shell.
New modelling capabilities
- New support leg component.
- Restraints can now be applied to the inside of the nozzle.
- A pressure specific to the nozzle can be set, independently of the vessel.
- The vessel’s dead weight can be included in load cases, which matters when analysing a vessel on its supports.
- The second end of horizontal vessels can be left free (cantilever scheme) for all calculation types; nozzles on the cantilevered part are imported from PASS/EQUIP accordingly.
Codes and standards
- Stress analysis updated to ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1 and Division 2, 2025 editions.
- ASME BPVC Section II, Part D material databases (customary and metric) updated to 2025.
- New: stress analysis to GB/T 4732.4-2024, including fatigue analysis, with the GB/T 4732.2-2024 material database.
Materials and reports
- Material databases migrated to SQLite, with a redesigned interface.
- A standalone utility to browse materials and their properties without launching the program.
- New tools for working with RTF report variables, and an option to trim empty space around report images.
- Refined beam flexibility properties (torsional resistance, shear factors) for flexibility and stress intensification factor (SIF) analysis.
The release also includes numerous fixes to geometry and mesh generation, and an updated program manual.
Professional FEM at an accessible price
Nozzle-FEM pairs advanced finite element analysis with an interface designed for engineers: automatic meshing, detailed reports, and no prior experience with general-purpose FEA software required. Its results are backed by a comprehensive Verification Manual, including comparisons with established engineering software. Competitive pricing, flexible licensing and integration with the rest of the PASS Suite make it a cost-effective alternative to more expensive nozzle analysis tools.
All PASS/NOZZLE-FEM users with active maintenance are encouraged to download the latest version. New to Nozzle-FEM? You can try the full software free for 15 days — or contact us for a presentation.
