ovality measurement in pipes

When ascertaining the form of a pipe, ovality can inform the variances from a perfectly rounded silhouette and be expressed as a proportion with 0% resembling a perfect oval and 100% being completely round.

An ideal pipe shape is that of a perfect circle, but due to a range of contributing factors, this is often not the case. These causes of deviation can include:

The production method itself was the catalyst for the manufacturing process.

Variations in temperature and pressure that take place throughout the transit and setup process.

To accurately measure the mass travelling through a pipe, the gravity of the liquid or air must be accounted for.

Having been utilized for an extended period of time, the pipe has evidently seen some wear and tear.

The shape of a pipe influences its performance greatly. A pipe with an oval shape, rather than a perfect circle, inherently has a smaller total area in diameter, thus decreasing the total flow rate and enhancing the pressure fall.

If pipe measurements veer away from roundness, you may be faced with the need to utilize specific adapters or alternative solutions to enable compatibility with roundly shaped components. This phenomenon called ovality can cause difficulty when fitting pipes and linked elements.

Assessing pipe ovality can be achieved through a variety of techniques, the most popular being a laser scanner for its speed and dependability in registering the shape. Utilizing a caliper or laid-out template is another option while taking numerous measurements down the course of the pipe could be executed as well.

By assessing the oval shape of a pipe, one can make a direct comparison to the manufacturer’s designated parameters. Doing so can uncover any outlying issues, be it caused by miscalculations of the production process or issues that arose in transport and installation.

If a pipe’s shape has gone awry and is sitting outside the realm of acceptability, there are still measures that can be taken to get it back on track. An expansion joint can be employed to accommodate slight degrees of ovality. Alternatively, a pipe support can be installed to redistribute the burden of the material (e.g., gas, fluid) it contains.

Should the damage be significant, extensive repairs may be necessary including having to replace a substantial portion of the pipe. In exceptionally extreme circumstances, this is sometimes the only feasible resolution.

The shape of pipes is an integral factor in their design, assembly, and setup, and knowledge of the origins and implications of ovality can guarantee that pipes are properly installed to achieve full performance.

Related Product