AVEVA PDMS

Accurate and clash-free 3D plant design

With ever increasing global demand for products from process and Business Benefits
power plants, AVEVA PDMS™ enables companies to design, construct
and maintain high quality plants quickly and efficiently. Reduced site rework
z Higher quality design. The
Using PDMS, the logical model of a plant can be quickly and efficiently ability to perform multiple
modelled into a full 3D design layout, where suitability and fit can all be tested design checks across the
in a virtual world, and the list of materials needed to construct the plant entire design eliminates errors,
generated automatically. and enables ‘right-first-time’
engineering.

PDMS enables teams of designers from a range of different disciplines to work z Accurate materials information
concurrently to develop a complete digital model of a process or power plant. eliminates over-ordering
and delays on site due to a
Each discipline works within its own specialist 3D environment, but is still able lack of required materials or
to view all of the design work taking place around them. information.

An extensive catalogue of predefined parametric components and objects can More effective use of globally
dispersed design teams
be quickly selected and positioned within the model, and then automatically
checked for clashes and integrity using configurable rules. Changes made as z PDMS, combined with AVEVA
the design evolves are highlighted and tracked, making it easier to identify, Global™, allows geographically
separate design teams to
manage and communicate the changes across the different disciplines. The work together as though they
end result is a more accurate, better quality design that helps avoid costly on- were in a single office. The
site rework. environment delivers high
performance for the designer,
centralised administration and
control, and protection from
communication limitations or
failures.
z Effective use can be made of
design capability, wherever
it exists. Project teams can
be quickly assembled and
mobilised.

Maximised project quality

z 3D multi-discipline working
environment improves
communication between
teams and facilitates ‘right-
first-time’ design.
z Clash checking and integrity
checking ensure higher quality
designs and less rework.
z Database-driven drawing
production achieves
consistency between
drawings, reports and design
data.
AVEVA PDMS can design every detail – even on the world’s largest projects

www.aveva.com
 Business Benefits Overview
Minimised schedule times Working with PDMS, engineers and PDMS is highly configurable and
designers can achieve very high levels of customisable to fit the working practices
z Reduced site work,
productivity on all types of plant project, of the organisation where it is being
concurrent multi-location
from the smallest plant upgrade project deployed. It can be easily adapted to
engineering, higher design
to new-build projects of unlimited size integrate with existing work processes,
efficiency and higher quality
and complexity. PDMS users range from but can also help drive business process
all combine to reduce
small engineering contractors to many of change within an organisation to
schedule time.
the world’s largest multinational process improve competitiveness.
z Greater ability to react quickly and power companies.
to major project changes,
including the capability to As projects are increasingly executed
change the project structure globally, PDMS, combined with AVEVA
during execution and to Global, delivers powerful work-share
dynamically add in new functionality. This enables complex,
locations or remove existing multi-site collaborative projects to be
ones, all protect the project executed using a ‘virtual design office’.
schedule. Projects can utilise PDMS resources
wherever they are located in the world,
and smaller EPCs can contribute to large
projects as part of a global team.

Key Features
z PDMS provides a fully interactive, z Advanced 3D editing features with
easy-to-use 3D environment for every graphical handles and numeric
designer on the project. feedback make design and modification
quick and easy.
z As the designers work with their
specialist functions, they have visibility z Built-in intelligence, combined with
of the entire design at all times. configurable rules and associations,
To create their part of the design ensures that designers are highly
they place instances of parametric productive during all design and
components from a catalogue modification activities.
(under the control of engineering
specifications) and, in doing so, z Design and component information
construct a highly intelligent PDMS from earlier PDMS projects can be
database. reused or shared across multiple
projects. Utilities to change pipe size or
z Clash checking and configurable specification enable rapid modification
integrity checking rules identify errors to adjust to new project conditions.
and inconsistencies across the design.
z The standard PDMS application can be
z Conventional issue, revision, and customised to fit individual industry or
change-control processes can all be project requirements, or to add further
applied without introducing a large design rules or automation into the
overhead or delays in projects which design process.
can have many hundred users.
z Undo and Redo facilities are widely
available. Whole or part projects can be
rewound to any previous state.

Design and Modification is quick and easy

– even for the novice user
An example of association rules A typical AVEVA PDMS Equipment model

Equipment
z The Equipment functions build 3D models for all kinds of plant z To create an equipment item in the design, the relevant template
items, from pumps and exchangers through to complex items is selected and the required parameters are defined.
such as reactor vessels and compressors. They are used in all
kinds of layout studies, arrangement drawings and connectivity z Equipment templates allow complex parameterised design
or clash checks. configurations to be defined so that they can be quickly and
easily reused, even across multiple projects.
z Multiple graphical representations are available, so that spaces
required for key maintenance activities can be visualised and z Equipment items include intelligent connection points, with
clash checked during layout and design. relevant attributes, for the connection of associated piping,
ducting, instrument and electrical systems.

An equipment template
Key Features (continued)
Piping
z The Piping functions build a fully detailed model of all piping
systems, based on component catalogues and engineering
specifications. From the piping model, Piping General
Arrangement drawings, isometric drawings and bills of
quantity are produced.

z A full range of automatically generated piping isometrics

is available, 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.

z PDMS manages and integrates all stages of the piping

workflow from initial conceptual routing at the beginning
of a project, through basic and detailed design and on to
individual pipe spooling at the fabricator.

z PDMS piping integrates with AVEVA Multi-Discipline

Piping isometrics with full MTO are produced automatically
Supports™ for the detail design of pipe supports, and with
specialist pipe stress applications, via the AVEVA Pipe Stress
Interface™. Custom interfaces to flow calculation systems,
wall thickness calculation and other software can easily be
created.

z 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.

z The Quick pipe routing function enables the user to define

the route of a pipe by using the mouse pointer to specify
changes in direction, either in absolute terms, or relative
to other model features. The route can be orthogonal or
non-orthogonal and sloping pipes are fully supported.
Components can be positioned explicitly or using feature
snapping. The route can be completed automatically where
completion is predictable. Regularly used pipe assemblies can be stored and re-used throughout the design

z Sophisticated modification capabilities are available at each

stage to allow the piping design to be further developed.
These include highly interactive graphical editing functions,
together with functions to apply specification and pipe bore
changes across the line, and to define and modify slopes.

Quick pipe routing

 HVAC and Ducting
z Piping assemblies such as vents, drains or control sets can be z PDMS provides a specialist function for the design of all types of
added to the design as an entity. Existing configurations can be ducting.
saved as assemblies and reused elsewhere.
z The function uses an engineering specification to select
z All drawings, including Piping General Arrangements and parametric components from a catalogue allowing a full 3D
isometrics, have associative dimensions and intelligent model to be built.
annotations, and can therefore be updated automatically in line
with design changes. z A Fill command automatically fills the straight parts of the route
with the appropriate number of straight lengths.
z Accurate MTO information can be generated on each sheet or
drawing, or via separate reports for any system, line, area, and so z In-line equipment such as dampers, vanes, diffusers and hoods
on. can all be included.

z As the design reaches fabrication, the PDMS spooling z The ducting model can be split into spool parts for manufacture
functionality manages the creation of individual spool isos, and pre-assembly and automatic spool and isometric drawings
including the creation of fully intelligent weld items in the model can be automatically produced.
database, which can be maintained across multiple revision
cycles. z PDMS integrates with AVEVA Multi-Discipline Supports for the
design of ducting supports.

Ducting design and spool drawing

Key Features (continued)
Structural and Architectural
z PDMS contains a number of specialist functions for the z Access Platforms, Stairs, Ladders can all be included in the
design of steel and concrete structures found in typical 3D model.
process and power plants. A wide range of layout/
arrangement and detail component drawings can be z Intelligent, parametric penetrations can be defined (together
produced, together with accurate weight and MTO with full details such as kick plates), and connected to the
information. structure and the penetrating item (for example, pipe or duct)
so that alignment and other checks can be carried out.
z The Beams and Columns function defines and maintains a
fully connected nodal network of structural sections including z Structural modelling makes extensive use of parameterised
all joint and fitting details. A simple regular structure can be catalogues for components such as section profiles, joints,
created in a single step. The nodal network, coupled with the and fittings. These catalogues can be added to by the user to
ability to define loads in the model, supports integration with suit particular project or other requirements.
analysis software.
z Profile catalogues cover the leading international and
z Standard bracing configurations are available and can be national profile standards, including angles, channels and
customised as required. I-beams.

z Curved, tapered and built-up beams are all available. z Joint catalogues contain standard types of joints including
cleats, end plates and sniped end preparations. Joint
z The Panels and Plates function defines and maintains flat definitions are parameterised so that, if a section related to a
panels of any shape. joint is resized, the joint can be resized automatically.

z The Walls and Floors function enables designers to define z Fitting catalogues contain a selection of parameterised
and maintain walls and floors of standard shapes. structural and industrial fittings including lifting lugs,
stiffeners, windows and doors.
z Fittings can be added to all types of beams, plates, walls,
floors and so on, to apply items such as doors, windows, z A range of interfacing options is available to link to specialist
intelligent piping penetrations, stiffeners, lifting lugs and fire- analysis software and specialist structural fabrication
proofing. systems.

Regular structures can be designed from a single input form

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

z PDMS integrates with AVEVA Cable Design™, AVEVA Electrical™

and AVEVA Instrumentation™ 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

z 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.

z Updates to drawings automatically include the latest design

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

z Drawings are available in AutoCAD- and MicroStation-compatible

formats.
Adding or modifying catalogue components is a simple, straightforward activity
z Flexible reporting capabilities enable all types of reports and
schedules, such as valve or nozzle schedules, to be produced
direct from the PDMS database; these can be produced in CSV or Management and Control
other formats.
z PDMS is designed to support large teams of designers working
z Accurate MTO information is available across all disciplines by together in a controlled and managed way. It has sophisticated
item, unit, area and so on. and highly configurable access and change control tools to allow
the system to be tailored for an enormous variety of engineering
z Reporting options include surface area, weight and centre of work practices and project situations.
gravity.
z Work breakdown structures can be changed in line with the
evolving project needs, for example, to adapt to changes when
construction contracts are awarded.

z With the use of AVEVA Global, the standard PDMS capabilities

can be extended to manage a PDMS project across
geographically separate locations.
Key Features (continued)

Mechanical Equipment Models can be imported into PDMS using specialised

interfaces

Customisation and Configuration

z 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.

z An open programming environment allows customers to

PDMS 3D model visualised in AVEVA Review™ Courtesy of Paks Nuclear
develop their own applications on top of the standard PDMS.
Power Plant
The .NET technology means that these applications can be
written in any compatible .NET language, such as C or C++,
Localisation as well as in PDMS’s programmable macro language (PML).

z PDMS supports Unicode throughout so that an extensive

range of international character sets can be used for data, Integration with AVEVA Engineer products
catalogues, drawings, reports and user interfaces, including
many multi-byte (Asian) and single-byte (European) character z AVEVA’s Engineer products create schematics, diagrams,
sets. datasheets, engineering lists and indexes. PDMS integrates
with all the products within this category including AVEVA
z Feet/inches and metric units are available throughout. Diagrams™, AVEVA P&ID™, AVEVA Engineering™, AVEVA
Electrical, AVEVA Instrumentation and AVEVA Schematic 3D
Integrator™.
Integration and Interfacing
z PDMS is fully compatible with AVEVA E3D™ and the two
products can be used together on the same project data at
the same time.

z PDMS integrates with AVEVA Bocad™ for structural design

detailing and fabrication.

z A variety of interfaces to analysis systems (eg for pipe and

structural stress) & third party design systems (eg for import
of mechanical equipment models) are available.

z A wide variety of data exchange formats is supported,

including DWG, DXF, DGN, SDNF, CSV.

Adding AVEVA Schematic 3D Integrator to PDMS allows P&ID/3D comparison

AVEVA PDMS is one of AVEVA’s AVEVA Worldwide Offices | www.aveva.com/offices

Design products, which create 3D
models for detailed design and 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
produce all associated deliverables
software release. AVEVA is not responsible for any inadvertent errors. All product names mentioned are the
trademarks of their respective holders.

Copyright © 2013 AVEVA Solutions Limited and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. APDMS/DS/13/B.
Information in this datasheet relates to product version 12.1 unless otherwise stated. Tel +44 (0)1223 556655 | Fax +44 (0)1223 556666 | www.aveva.com/contact