Hello all! Today we will be discussing segments, a really useful feature in AutoPIPE.
Segment Description
Segments are unique to AutoPIPE and are used to define logical portions of piping. Every piping point is assigned to at least one segment. New segments are automatically created at tee branches and a new segment can be created at any point in the model. The user can join, split, reverse, reorder and hide segments. They can also be used to apply certain loading conditions to specific portions of the piping system.
Segment Manipulation
Segments in the piping model can be manipulated using the “Edit” pull-down menu, scrolling down to “Segment” and choosing a command from the side menu bar.
Hide Selected/Unselected and Show All
The “Hide Selected,” “Hide Unselected” and “Show All” commands can be used to unclutter the model. This tool is very useful in large models where components may be blocking other components. It is helpful in modeling geometry and viewing results.
To use “Hide Selected,” the user will select segments in the model. There are a few different ways to select segments. One way is by using the Segment tab on the Input Grid. The user can
click on the segment row(s) that they would like to select. The row will be highlighted in dark grey and the segment will be simultaneously highlighted in red in the model. In order to highlight segments out of order, hold Ctrl as you click on the segment rows.
The user can then choose “Hide Selected” to hide the selected segments in the model.
Alternatively, the user could have chosen “Hide Unselected” to hide the unselected segments in the model.
When the user is ready to view all of the piping again, the “Show All” command can be used to show all of the segments in the piping model.
The user can also perform these manipulations using the corresponding buttons on the Command Toolbar.
This Segment tab on the Input Grid also allows for an easy way to show specific segments at a time. A check mark in the “Show” column means that the segment is being shown in the modeling area. No check means the segment is hidden.
Reorder Segments
The user has the ability to reorder segments in the model. This can be useful when importing CAD piping models that may have been built in an illogical manner. Segments help understand the flow and order of a model if used correctly. Reordering can also eliminate any gaps in segment naming, like if a model had segments A through C and B happened to be deleted. To reorder segments, click on the “Reorder…” command.
If it made sense to flop segments A and C in this example, the user would type “3” in the “Order” column and Segment A row and “1” in the “Order” column and Segment C row, and then choose “Reorder” on the bottom left. Simultaneously, the model will be updated with the new order of segments. The user will be able to see the changes when the dialog box is closed.
Reverse Segments
The user can reverse the direction of a segment by using the “Reverse” command. Using this command will also renumber the segments, if the points are out of order.
Split/Join Segments
Segments can be split at an existing point in the model and/or joined at a junction/continuation in the model. Joining segments decreases the number of overall segments in the model, while splitting increases that number.
Splitting segments allows the user to apply loadings to only portions of the piping model and to break the model. The user can split a segment by selecting the point in the model and using the “Split” command. That point will then become a part of two segments and there will be different segments on each side of that point.
To simplify the model, the user can join segments at junction points by clicking on a point that connects two segments and choosing the “Join” command.
Segment Loading
The user can use segments to apply specific loadings to specific portions of the piping system. Wind, Thermal Bowing, Buoyancy and Snow loads can be applied to specific segments. The user can use the segment Manipulation commands in order to make sure the model is broken up correctly to apply the loads. An example is splitting a piece of piping at a point where the piping goes through a wall so that a wind load can be applied to the piping outside of the wall but not inside the building. The easiest way to apply these loads to specific segments is by using the Segment tab on the Input Grid. Each of these loads has a column in this tab where a check can be placed to apply the load to specific segments.
So segments are a really awesome and helpful tool in AutoPIPE, get comfortable with them and use them! That's all for today!
Thanks,
Jess