Comments, Questions, and Answers related to modeling a ring main pipe (circular header)
Using AutoPIPE 09.06.xx
Item #1:
Can AutoPIPE model a Ring main (circular header)?
Answer: YES!!
From AutoPIPE online help:
Insert Ring
AutoPIPE supports the insertion of ring mains into the piping model through the use of the Ring Main Wizard. The Insert Ring dialog is a two-step wizard. The first page of the wizard contains general properties regarding the ring. The second page contains the ring's specific properties.The ring is drawn in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the radial vector. To reverse this, simply place 180 in the Radius field.Notes:
1. Rings can only be placed on run points.
2. Certain elements of this wizard will create new segments in the model. Close Ring, Create new segment and a tee Branch Type will create new segments each.
In addition, see the following Tutorial - Ring Main Wizard WIKI page.
Item #2:
Understanding the ring orientation field
Answer: Better explained with and example:
With a segment going in the +Dy axis (vertical up) direction. Place a ring on top using the following entries:
-
-
- Ring orientation = 0 deg
- Create New segment = checked ON
- Radius = 5.0 ft
- Close Ring = checked ON
- Offset = Dx = 0, Dy = 5 feet, Dz = 0 feet
- Press Next button,
- Ring type = Circular Ring
- Number of Angles = 4
- Press Finish button
-
As a result the following rings is created,
Perform the same procedure above, but index the Ring Orientation by 45 deg (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135, 180). Notice how the ring is rotated about the vertical axis (Offset axis direction) with a counter clockwise rotation.
Perform the same procedure above, but change the Offset = Dx = 5, Dy = 0 feet, Dz = 0 feet and index the Ring Orientation by 45 deg (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135, 180). Again notice how tthese changes affect the ring creation:
Hint: Imagine your eyeball is looking directly back along the axis created by the Offset direction values. Typically the Ring Orientation will start at 12:00 o'clock, rotating CCW per the value entered (i.e 90 deg = 9:00 - 3:00, 135 deg = 7:30 - 1:30)
Item #3
When creating a ring main, some runs were added that crisscrosses the ring main and added tees where not desired as shown bellow:
How to resolve and fix these issue:
Answer: With AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.xx.xx and lower the development team was able to determine that there was an issue with naming, where duplicate point names get generated and system converts them to tee while running a consistency check.
Currently AutoPIPE Alpha-Numeric point name can contain up to 4 characters where the segment name is also included in point name. This segment name can be one or two characters. Any new segment created with a two character name leaves AutoPIPE to use only two characters for point number in alphanumeric convention.
This problem can be further compounded by increasing the name offset to a larger number (ex. Tools->Model Options->Edit> Default point name offset (0=none) = 5 ). This way every point name will have a numeric part with offset of 5. e.g. JJ00, JJ05, JJ10…. This format limit AutoPIPE alpha-numeric with only 19 point names per a segment.
In the following ring segment was created with 72 points (5 degrees bend per point) while creating the ring of Radius 6.5 ft and 90 deg orientation angle. The point names generated as described above are causing issue.
The development team is looking into a fix to avoid any point name duplication in such a scenario.
The workaround at the moment for Alpha-numeric naming convention is limit the name offset = 1 (default), and then generate the ring with the new enhancement tool.
Item #4: How to model a Semi circular ring main header..
Item #5: Ring components are not permitted in HDPE pipe system as per CC N-755-1... message appears
See Also
Create a Ring main (Circular Header) Video
Modeling Approaches in AutoPIPE