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Technical Information for people in the Plant Design and Piping Profession (Sample Only)

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Automation Strategy

There are three primary strategies associated with Plant Design automation. The first is the transition away from paper deliverables towards data deliverables. The second is viewing project-generated data throughout an office or company, thus providing an enterprise-wide view of that data. The third strategy is compressing schedules, with an emphasis on why concurrent engineering is here to stay. This article discusses the pros and cons of those strategies.

 

Design Tips

These pages list design tips and tricks on piping and equipment layout, stress analysis, material takeoff, and project management. What makes these pages exciting is that you can submit tips yourself and have them show up on the site. Another useful feature is that you can 'rate' the tips! Those tips that are rated the most useful 'float' to the top of the list. Become the acknowledged Plant Design expert as rated by your peers! Submit your Design Tip today!!

 

Double Overhang

A common type of pipe routing that impacts the allowable spans of piping runs is the 'unsupported overhang'. The allowable span for this type of arrangement is what this article is focused on. This is the type of routing a Designer sees at turning points of piperacks. The supported piping has one length of pipe hanging over the last support beam in the rack. The pipe then turns up or down and then travels at a right angle to the next support, usually with a different length of pipe. This article discusses how to calculate the allowable span between pipe supports for this type of piping arrangement.

 

Equipment Spacing

This article is an introductory explanation of spacing equipment in a plant to satisfy the safety and maintenance requirements of a plant.

 

Flange Data

Dimensional data on flanges.

 

Plot Plans

In addition to depicting relative and specific positioning of equipment, plot plans help in the establishment of support facilities and are used to determine the most cost-effective construction sequence and methods. Plot plans are also used to assure proper operator and maintenance access while maintaining engineering economy. Plot plans are used for operational needs such as training and emergency access, as well as facilitating insurance ratings. In this page, the development of plot plans is discussed.

 

Project Management

This site will take you through the basics of project management.  The three main topics covered are Organizational Structures (pure versus functional management organizations - the pros and cons of each type); PM Challenges (looking at the primary problems on a project through the eyes of its project manager); and, Cautions (when project management tools may cause more harm than good). Why is project management important to almost all firms? For the answer to the question, click on the thumbnail image to the left of this paragraph. The thumbnail image will expand to a readable size. Remember to use the back arrow in your toolbar to get back to this page.

 

References

This Reference link will take you to a group of pages that catalog links to sites or web pages that members of the Society of Piping Engineers and Designers may find useful.

 

Rise/Run Tables

An Excel spreadsheet that gives you the various rise/run dimensions for offset pipe.

 

Variable Springs

This article from Piping Technology Products describes how to design and build spring cans. There are specifics on the physics of spring cans, how to size variable springs, and how to calculate variability. Good reading for anyone responsible for the design of pipe supports or the layout of hot piping systems.