Plastic Pipe Institute Introduces Free Online Design Tools
BoreAid software and a Design and Engineering Calculator help engineers in the design and installation of polyethylene pipe.
The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) has added two new online software aids to assist in the design and installation of polyethylene (PE) pipe.
PPI-BoreAid™ software simplifies the design process of complex calculations for trenchless applications of PE pipe used in gas distribution, water, and sewer systems. Project and pipe details can be entered into the tool to assess deflection, critical collapse, pull back force, and allowable pullback force.
The PPI Design and Engineering Calculator assists in performing multiple computations relating to internal and external pressure ratings, pressure and gravity water flow, water hammer, low pressure and high pressure gas flow, and automates other assessments for above and underground systems. Both of these design tools can be found on the PPI’s website at www.plasticpipe.org.
“These two new additions to the vast technical resources of the PPI demonstrate our ongoing commitment to help consulting engineers and specifiers design infrastructure systems,” said Tony Radoszewski, executive director of the PPI. “As the significant economic advantages of trenchless construction methods are increasingly being documented, the engineering and contracting industries are paying closer attention to this alternative construction method,” Radoszewski continued.
Both the PPI BoreAid and Design Calculator are applicable for use in analysis and design of PE pipe systems for fuel gas lines, or for municipal pressure and non-pressure applications.
According to PPI, the ETrenchless engineers, Dr. Karl Lawrence, BoreAid technical/software consultant, and Dr. Ali Bayat, P. E., assistant professor, University of Alberta developed the software. Mark A. Knight, Ph.D., P.E., associate professor and executive director of the Center for the Advancement of Trenchless Technology at the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada), said: "The software allows the user to select the type of PE (PE4710, PE3608 or PE 2708), the pipe classification (IPS, DIPS) and application (Gas, M&I Pressure Pipe, M&I Non-Pressure Pipe/Gravity Flow) to design HDD-installed pipelines. It is an extremely useful and expeditious evaluation aid that blends all available industry guides.”
The PPI-BoreAid tool facilitates in the design process as outlined in PPI’s Handbook of Polyethylene Pipe, Chapter 12, which supplies guidance in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects in accordance with the ASTM F1962 standard.
The PPI-BoreAid™ tool employs calculation methodology and framework as developed and used in BoreAid™, a more comprehensive HDD design tool.
Source: Plastic Pipe Institute