Pipe Router

The Pipe Router utility is a rule-based tool which automatically route multiple or single pipes. If non-orthogonal pipes are required, these can be created manually, refer to Quick Pipe Routing for further information.

The pipe(s) are routed, from the branch’s head and ends at the branch’s tail, positioning and orientating piping components (reducers and welds), and where appropriate adding connection components such as flanges and gaskets. The flow direction is always forwards (from head to tail). The pipes are created orthogonally and with the minimum number of bends or elbows and where possible clash-free.

Constrain the route taken by the pipe(s) with the use of routing points, planes, rules and pipe racks and if required, modify the route once it has been created. Refer to Automatic Pipe Route Administration for further information.

All the tasks carried out in association with the Pipe Router utility are initiated from a central Pipe Router window which acts as a task hub.

Defaults

The pipe router is supplied with defaults which can be modified if required.

Use the File menu from the Pipe Router Defaults window, to save settings or load from settings from elsewhere, see System Administrator if new settings are required:

The Pipe Router Defaults window, contains all the tools to determine the defaults for the pipe router.

The Output messages to file fields, Directory and Filename specifies where to save and what to name the error messages file. The option to overwrite or add to the end of existing error file by selecting an option from the drop-down list is also available.

To remove the output message once a session check has been completed, click to select the Remove Message file at the end of session check box.

To specify what the Pipe Router does in the event of an error, from the Action on error drop-down list: select one of the available options.

To specify which component is used when the routing changes direction, from the Change direction using drop-down list select one of the available option.

Specify a default rule set from the Default rule set world drop-down list for all the branches created by Pipe Router which is automatically assigned as a low priority rule set. Here you or system administrator can create company and/or project specific rule sets. Refer to Routing Rules for further information.

Once the rule set has been specified define to what the rule set is applied, from the Applied to all drop-down list, select the required design hierarchy element.

Pipe Router automatically searches for and makes use of any routing planes and pipe racks with a branch to route the pipe on. The pipe racks exist within the search volume of a branch or branches, the default search volume is the volume between the head and tail of a pipe. The search can be extended outside this volume by inputting the distances in the In Z Direction (vertical) and In X/Y Directions (horizontal) fields.

Pipe Router automatically uses a routing plane or pipe rack to route a pipe only if the distance that it travels along the plane or rack is greater than a minimum travel distance. Enter the minimum distance, in the Minimum Travel Distance field.

Specify the minimum Pipe gap between pipes on racks (and other planes), and also specify in the Pipe gap rounding field the extent to which the gap size is rounded, which can help minimize construction errors.

Define a Route

Create the pipe and branch elements in the design hierarchy and connect or position their heads and tails and define bore. If the branch contains piping components, these must be selected. Refer to Create New Pipe Element and Branch Element for further information.

Routing Pipes

Add the pipes to the Pipe Router window, and then route the pipes, Pipes can be added individually or in groups.

By default, the Pipe Router routes pipes in the order in which they are added to the Pipe Router window. The routing order can have an effect on the route taken by pipes. Refer to Changing the Order in which Pipes are Routed for further information. Pipe Router routes the selected pipes, adding elbows, gaskets and flanges, as required.

When a pipe is added to Pipe Router, it is given a head and tail work-point. These are the points where a route begins and ends. Pipe Router positions work-points at a distance from the branch head or tail which allows for any connection components that are required.

For example, if the head of a branch is a flanged nozzle, then Pipe Router automatically adds a gasket and a flange. Pipe Router then begins routing the pipe from the end of the flange.

How Pipe Router Finds a Route

The Pipe Router creates a route using an algorithm which minimizes material cost while avoiding clashes with other objects. The algorithm has three modes of operation, described as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 modes. Pipe Router first searches for a route using Level 1 mode. If no clash-free Level 1 route is found, a search is made using Level 2 mode, and if no Level 2 route is found Level 3 mode is used.

Level One Mode

In level one mode, Pipe Router searches for an orthogonal route between the head and tail work-points of a pipe, using the minimum number of bends or elbows. Lever One routes (Box 3) shows examples of the routes available in level one mode.

An example of a Level One route displays a level one route in which the head work-point is facing up.

Level Two Mode

If all first level routes are blocked, Pipe Router attempts to find second level routes. In second level mode, Pipe Router withdraws the route into the box by a distance which enables the pipe to bypass the obstruction. Pipe Router then attempts the same routing patterns as those used in level one mode.

Level Three Mode

If Pipe Router cannot find a clash-free route using first and second level routes, it attempts to find a third level route. In third level mode, Pipe Router extends the box outwards until it bypasses the obstruction and then attempts to route the pipe using level one routing principles.

Adding Components to a Route

Once Pipe Router has worked out a route, it constructs the Branch by adding whatever Elbows (or Bends) are needed.

Note:
To be efficient, Pipe Router imposes a low upper limit on the number of Elbows it adds to a Branch: it does not attempt to be a maze solver.

Specify components in a Branch before routing, for example by importing a P&ID file as described in Import a P&ID File. Modify a routed Branch by adding other components, for example, Valves or Instruments, on the Piping tab, in the Modify group, click Component to display the Piping Component Editor window and create the components in the normal way.

Only the principal piping components need to be added. Pipe Router adds Flanges, Gaskets, lap joint stub ends and Welds as necessary, using the Connection Compatibility (COCO) tables to create the correct types.

Components can be locked into a given position, in which case they are not be moved, even if the Branch is re-routed. Refer to Locked Components for further information about using locked components.

If there are particular constraints that must be placed on a Branch, for example, passing through a given point or plane, use one of the techniques described in Constraining a Route.

Insertion of Reducers at Bore Changes

Before Pipe Router positions any components on a Branch, it checks the Branch to see if it contains any components whose bore is different from the preceding component. If one is found, then by default the Pipe Router selects the first suitable Reducer that it finds in the catalog, regardless of whether it is concentric or eccentric.

Set rules to specify whether concentric or eccentric Reducers are used. For information about routing rules, refer to Routing Rules for further information.

Note:
Pipe Router treats bores being equal if they are the same within 5mm.

How Pipe Router Routes to Free Tails

If a Branch has a free Tail, that is, if the Tail is not connected to another Branch or the Tail position has not been specifically defined, Pipe Router automatically positions the Tail once it has positioned all of the components in the Branch and applied all constraints.

If this fails, for example, because there is a clash or a component positioning rule cannot be satisfied, then it introduces an Elbow after the constraint, before the first component. Pipe Router then positions the elbow in a direction that results in a clash-free route, and which satisfies component positioning and orientation rules.

If the Branch does not have any constraints, the position of the Tail depends on the position and orientation of the Branch Head. Often, this may be a Tee. Refer to How the Pipe Router Positions Tees for further information.

Tail direction: The TDIR attribute for a free tail is never set if the last constraint is a plane or a rack. In all other cases, TDIR is taken from the direction of the last component.

How the Pipe Router Positions Tees

Pipe Router checks each Branch for connections to other Branches, that is it looks for Tees or other components which have a CREF or CRFA attribute set.

If the Branch which connects to the Tee has a free Tail, then the Tee is treated the same as any other component.

In all other cases, the Tee influences the route taken by the original Branch. In general, Pipe Router selects the closest route to any constraints in the connecting Branch. If there are none, then it selects the route closest to the other end of the connecting Branch.

Tees which can be balanced are then positioned. Refer to Balanced Tees for further information.

Where a Branch contains more than one Tee, the first Tee in the Branch influences the route taken. Pipe Router positions any subsequent Tees as close as possible to the next constraint, or the other end of the connecting branch.

Control the position of a Tee by locking it in position, or by constraining the route, using a routing point. Refer to Create a Routing Point for further information.

Balanced Tees

Pipe Router attempts to position a Tee to achieve balanced flow.

The Tee must be symmetric about a plane through P-arrive. The Pipe Router changes the arrive p-point to achieve this if the bores on the p-points are equal. It then checks the leave-bore and connect-bore. If the bores are equal then Pipe Router assumes that the Tee is T-shaped.

The Tail directions of /B1 and /B2 must either be equal and not in the axial direction between the Tail positions of the branches or opposite and in the axial direction between the Tail positions of the branches:

There must be no locked components on branch /B2, nor any after the Tee on branch /B1.

If there are multiway components in the Branches after the Tee, the Branches connected to them:

• Must have equivalent lists of component specifications,

• Must be unconstrained

• Must have free tails

The Tail positions of /B1 and /B2 must be equal in two of the three orthogonal co-ordinates:

The specifications of the positionable components after the Tee on /B1 must be the same as the specifications of the components on branch /B2.

The Tee is positioned so that:

• The Tee is clash-free

• There is enough room for all components between the Tee and the end of the Branch

• The position does not result in a route to the Tee with an elbow close to the Tee.

If any of these conditions are not satisfied, Pipe Router attempts moving the Tee back along the arrive direction (or forward along the leave direction).

Covered Nozzles

When the Pipe Router is routing a Branch there may be several others waiting to be routed. The best route for the current Branch may take the Pipe straight in front of other Nozzles, which is most likely to happen when routing from a line of Vessels. It can be avoided by:

Refer to Changing the Order in which Pipes are Routed for further information.

Make sure the Nozzles or Equipment owning them have obstruction volumes extending beyond their Nozzles which prevents other Pipes crossing in front of the Nozzle. The Branch connected to the Nozzle ignores this clash and successfully routes onto the Nozzle.

Note:
The obstruction volumes should be defined in the Catalog: defining them in DESIGN may result in less satisfactory routes.

Constraining a Route

Except in very simple cases, give Pipe Router more information about the route required to achieve a satisfactory route, then constrain a route using the following:

• Locked components

• Routing Points

• Routing Rules

• Routing Planes

• Pipe Racks

These constraints are described briefly in the following sections, and described in detail in later sections.

Locked Components

A locked component is a component whose position has been fixed before routing takes place. Pipe Router routes the Branch through the component. Locked components can be used to manually modify the route taken.

In cluttered areas, Pipe Router may not be able to find a clash-free route, in which case it puts in the simplest clashing route and informs you of the clash. Modify the route to obtain a clash-free route, by moving components away from clashes, locking them and re-routing. Both principal Piping components and router-created components (for example, Elbows), can be moved and locked.

Routing Rules

One of the principal features of Pipe Router is its built-in rule engine. Use routing rules to control the selection, position and orientation of piping components, and to control how pipes use routing planes and pipe racks. Refer to Routing Rules for further information.

Refer to Automatic Pipe Route Administration for further information about creating your own rules.

Routing Points

Routing Points are points through which a pipe must pass. Specify the position of a routing point, and the direction in which a pipe arrives at and leaves a routing point. Refer to Create and Use Routing Points for further information.

Routing Planes

Routing planes are orthogonal planes which attract pipes to them and then guide the pipes in the direction of the plane. Routing planes are useful, for example, where to group pipes together, perhaps along a wall or ceiling. Refer to Create and Use Routing Planes for further information.

Pipe Racks

In Pipe Router, a pipe rack is composed of a group of routing planes which enables the modelling of the route used on a physical pipe rack. There are two ways in which to create a pipe rack. Create pipe racks on existing steelwork structures or model them as a group of planes.

Find the second method useful when working on a conceptual design and does not want to spend time creating steelwork structures. Once a pipe rack has been created, use routing rule to specify how different sorts of pipe run on the rack. Refer to Create and Use Pipe Racks for further information.

Checking the Status of a Branch

Once the pipe(s) have been routed, check the status of the branch, by selecting Display > Status Summary, the Pipe Router Status Summary window shows that two Branches have been routed successfully.

Note:
Update and Dismiss at the bottom of the Pipe Router Status Summary window can be used to update the report file or close the Pipe Router Status Summary window.

Changing the Order in which Pipes are Routed

Pipe Router routes pipes in the order in which they are added to the Pipe Router window. However you may need to change the routing order of particular pipes to make sure that Pipe Router routes the most expensive pipes first. Or if working with pipes that are in close proximity to one another or where pipes cross paths.

Change the routing order, by selecting from a choice of options in the Modify > Routing Order > from the Pipe Router window.

• Auto - Automatically reorders branches according to routing dependencies, that is, if a pipe is dependent on another pipe, then that pipe is routed first. Select this option, for example, after you reorder by bore.

  Note:
  Option only affects piping networks: It has no effect on unconnected Pipes.

• Manual > Pipes - Manually specify the order in which the Pipe Router routes each pipe, using the Pipe Router - Reorder Pipes window.

• Manual > Branches - Manually specify the order in which the Pipe Router routes each branch, using the Pipe Router - Reorder Branches window.

• By Attribute - Reorder pipes according to particular attributes in ascending or descending order, using the Reorder by Attribute window.

  

To reorder pipes according to their specification, select Group by specification check box, the display is reordered in alphabetical order of their specification names, for example, all pipes which use the specification A150, followed by all pipes which use the specification B150, and then the other pipe specifications in the sequence. Use this option in conjunction with the attribute radio buttons.

For example, reorder pipes so that all Pipe Router displays all pipes which use the specification A150 in descending order of their head bore, followed by all B150 specification pipes.

Routing Messages

As Pipe Router routes a pipe, it examines each branch and generates a message about any routing errors that it finds. These messages can help you understand and correct errors. It can view these messages both during and after pipe routing, providing you have set up a file in which to store the messages, as described previously.

To view routing messages, select Display > Routing Messages from the Pipe Router window to display the Routing Messages window.

The Routing Messages window is empty if Pipe Router routes all pipes without any errors.

Select Control > Close to close the Routing Messages window.

Branch Detail Window

Pipe Router enables you to view details of the components and constraints in a branch using the Branch Detail window. Select options to constrain the route taken by a branch.

For example, lock components in position, create routing points and add routing planes and pipe racks to the constraint list. All of these facilities are explained in later sections.

Select one of the routed Branches from the Pipe Router window and click Branch Detail to display the Branch Detail window, which contains details of the selected branch.

Refer to Positioning and Locking Components for more information on the contents of the Branch Detail window.

Positioning and Locking Components

Add components to Branches after they have been routed and control where the components are positioned. The effect that positioning and locking components has when a Branch is re-routed is also considered.

Note:
Set up rules to control the selection, positioning and orientation of components, Refer to Routing Rules for further information.

Deletable, Positionable and Locked Components

Pipe Router sees all piping components as deletable, positionable or locked. If the Branch Detail window displays for a Branch that has been routed by the Pipe Router, all the components are listed as deletable.

The components that Pipe Router creates in a Branch are described as Deletable. If the branch is re-routed, Pipe Router deletes all the components that it has created and re-create them.

After a Branch has been routed, components can be added manually in the normal way. Select the correct element in the Branch Members list, on the Piping tab, in the Create group, click Component to display the Piping Component Editor window. These components are described as Positionable. If the Branch is re-routed, these components are not deleted, but they may be moved to fit on the new route.

Positionable components can be locked into a given position, in which case they are not moved, even if the Branch is re-routed.

The order of Positionable components in the Branch Members list is maintained, and so is their order relative to any constraints in the Branch. For example, if a Valve is added before a Locked Tee, the Valve is not be moved past the Tee.

To make changes to a Branch, and then re-route it, keeping some or all of the components that Pipe Router has added by making them positionable, rather than deletable. These can also be locked.

To change the status of a component, select it from the list on the Branch Detail window, and then select one of the options under the Modify menu on the window.

The choices are: Constraint, Toggle Head Lock, Toggle Tail Lock, Lock Position, Make Positionable, Make Deletable, Toggle Head/Tail Relative, Head W-P, and Tail W-P.

Positioning Relative to the Head or Tail

Each component in a branch is positioned relative to the head or tail of the branch. If a component is head relative, then Pipe Router places that component as close as possible to the head of the branch, allowing for other components and any constraints. If a component is tail relative, then that component is positioned as close as possible to the tail of the branch.

Pipe Router routes a pipe from head to tail and so all components are initially created head relative.

Change the head/tail relative property of any positionable component. Select it in the list on the Branch Detail window, and then select Modify > Toggle Head/Tail Relative.

Head and Tail Work-points

Each Branch has a Head Work-point and a Tail Work-point. insert components between the Head (or Tail) and its work-point, which can be used, for example, to position a Valve directly onto a Nozzle.

Moving the Head or Tail Work-point

Position the Head W-P after a particular component in a Branch or position the Tail W-P before a particular component, which enables the Valve to be positioned directly onto the Nozzle of vessel /VESS-1, then re-route the Pipe without affecting the position of the Valve.

From the Branch Detail window, select Modify > Tail W-P to display the Modify Tail W-P window.

From the Modify Tail W-P window, select VALVE 1, click OK.

From the Pipe Router window, select the Route: Selected option.

Pipe Router re-routes the Pipe from the Head Work-point to the Tail Work-point, which is now positioned before VALV 1.

Check the position of the valve, display the Branch Detail window for the branch, then scroll to the bottom of the Components/Constraints list to display the details.

Note:
The Tail Work-point is now positioned after VALVE 1.

Locking and Unlocking a Component

Pipe Router enables piping components to be locked in position, to make sure that a branch component remains in its current position, even if the branch is re-routed.

To lock a component, from the Branch Detail window, select the component to be locked in position, select Modify > Lock Position.

To unlock a locked component, select Modify > Make Positionable for main piping components, or Modify > Make Deletable for Pipe Router generated components.

Manually Routing Non-orthogonal Sections

Pipe Router is an orthogonal router so if non-orthogonal sections of pipe in a branch are required. Route these sections by hand and then lock all the components in the section (including the start and end bend or elbow) and route the remainder of the pipes using Pipe Router.

Aligned, Locked, Non-orthogonal Components

If two locked components with non-orthogonal arrive and/or leave direction are aligned, with no intervening components, so that a straight piece of tube can run between them without clashing, Pipe Router uses this route, which also happens if the first component is aligned with the head or the last component is aligned with the tail. If the straight, non-orthogonal routes clash, only orthogonal routes are considered to avoid the clash.

In all other cases Pipe Router attempts to insert a bend or elbow to turn into an orthogonal direction as close as possible to the component.

Non-aligned Non-orthogonal Components

If non-orthogonal components are not aligned, only orthogonal routes between them are considered.

Non-orthogonal Sections with Unlocked Components

If there are other, positionable, components between non-orthogonal locked components, orthogonal routing is used. Pipe Router may add connection components on to the locked components, but note that no bore change (which would require the addition of a reducer) is permitted.

Lock several non-orthogonal components in a row. For example, lock two 45 degree elbows to give a non-orthogonal section of pipe and place a locked valve on this section of pipe. Pipe Router does not route any part of the Branch between the elbows, providing that straight pipe does not clash; and it adds any necessary connection components to the valve. However, the valve must be locked: if it is positionable Pipe Router routes orthogonally between the elbows.

It may be better to continue in a non-orthogonal direction from a nozzle until a route has passed an obstruction, because this might give a shorter route with fewer elbows. Lock the elbow at ‘A’ to give this route:

Using Rules for Minimum Tube Length

To find that components such as Olets and Stub-in Tees are positioned immediately next to another component, if the COCO tables allow. Use the Upstream and Downstream Rules provided with Pipe Router to specify minimum lengths of Tube. Refer to Routing Rules for further information about using rules.

Create and Use Routing Points

Routing Points can be used to constrain a route, these points are points through which a branch passes. To define the coordinates of a point and the direction in which a branch arrives at and leaves a point.

To add as many routing points as required but the points must be created at the correct position in the sequence of constraints.

Create a Routing Point

To create a routing point, select the required branch from the Pipe Router window, select Branch Detail to display the Branch Detail window. From the Branch Detail window, select Create > Routing Point to display the Create Routing Point window.

To enter the coordinates on the Create Routing Point window or use the other options available on the menu, which are similar to the normal AVEVA E3D™ positioning options. Routing points can only be positioned after positionable or locked components.

By specifying a different arrive and leave direction, a bend or elbow has to be inserted at the position of the routing point. If a change of direction is not required, select the Through Direction and specify the direction for the pipe to take at that point. If the direction is unset, Pipe Router selects the best direction to minimize the number of bends or elbows used.

Use DATUMs as Routing Points

There is an option on the Create Routing Point window which allows you to use an existing DATUM point as a routing point. Two branches should not use the same Datum point as a constraint since they would then clash.

If you wish to use a Datum where two branches meet, just one of the branches should have the point as a constraint. For example, Branch /P1/B1 ends at a Battery Limit and Branch P2/B1 connects to its Tail. Branch /P1/B1 should have the Datum as the last constraint and a Free Tail. The Head of Branch /P2/B1 is positioned at the Tail of /P1/B1.

Moving a Routing Point

To modify the position of a routing point at any time. From the Pipe Router window, select the branch to modify, click Branch Detail to display the Branch Detail window.

Select the routing point to modify from the Components/Constraints list. Select Modify > Constraint to display the Modify Routing Point window. Select one of the following options, depending on the type of modification:

Move > Distance

To move a routing point a distance in a specified direction either from the current location, or relative to another element which can be identified using the cursor or another method.

Move > Towards

To move the point a specified distance towards another element, which can be identified using the cursor, by specifying a named element or, which may be the head, tail or, the next element in the branch.

Note:
Make sure that the routing point is still in a sensible position in the list of constraints, otherwise a very convoluted route may be obtained.

If a DATUM has been used as a routing point, the standard AVEVA E3D™ positioning options can be used to modify its position.

Routing Rules

Routing Rules are special AVEVA E3D™ rules which are used to control how components are selected, positioned and orientated as Branches are routed and how Pipes are packed on Pipe Racks and Routing Planes.

Use the sample routing rules supplied with the Pipe Router, or define routing rules refer to Automatic Pipe Route Administration for further information.

Note:
Refer to Catalog Database for further information about defining rules for setting attributes.

Routing rules can be applied to individual branches or all branches within a particular site, zone, or pipe. Rules can be applied or removed to individual components, as required.

Expressions

A routing rule consists of AVEVA E3D™ expressions. AVEVA E3D™ expressions are described in detail in PML Expressions.

AVEVA E3D™ expressions consist of the following:

• AVEVA E3D™ element types. For example, VALV, BRAN, TEE which also includes OWNER and MEMBER.

• AVEVA E3D™ attributes and pseudo-attributes. For example, HDIR, ABOR.

For a list of AVEVA E3D™ attributes, refer to Catalog Database for further information.

• Logical operators. The operators available are

  • EQ equal to

  • NE not equal to

  • GE greater than or equal to

  • GT greater than

  • LE less than or equal to

  • LT less than

• Keywords. There are a wide variety of keywords, for example, ALL, WITH, UP, IS.

Apply a Rule Set to a Branch

Once a rule set has been created, it can be applied to a branch. The rules then take effect on the components in the branch. From the Pipe Router window, select the branch with which you want to associate a rule set.

From the Pipe Router window, select Settings > Apply Rules > To Branch to display the Apply Rules to SELECTED window.

First select the rule world which contains the rule sets to apply to the branch from the RULE WORLD list, which contains all the Branches selected on the Pipe Router window. From the Rule sets available in current world list, select the rule set. The rule set can be added as high priority or low priority.

Click Add HIGH to add the rule set to the High Priority Sets list or Add LOW to add the rule set to the Low Priority Sets list. Click Apply. You must then route the branch to apply the rules.

Pipe Router first checks to see if there are any rules that apply to a component from the high priority rule sets. If there are none then Pipe Router checks if there are any rules that apply in the low priority rule sets.

From the Settings > Apply Rules options on the Pipe Router window applies the rule sets to a site, zone or pipe. In these cases all branches which are below them in the hierarchy also have the rule sets applied, unless they have rule sets specifically applied.

Note:
If rules are applied to an element which contains many Branches, for example, a Zone, then each time a Branch is routed, Pipe Router checks every Branch to see if the rules apply which may take some time.

By default, Pipe Router applies all the rules in the specified sets to a branch, providing they are appropriate. However, to remove a rule from a particular component in a branch, or add one from another rule set.

Remove a Rule Set

To remove a rule set, first select the branch from the Pipe Router window, then select Settings > Apply Rules > To Branch to display the Apply Rules window, the rule set to be removed must be selected. Click Remove HIGH or Remove LOW as appropriate. Click Apply.

If a Rule Set is applied to a Pipe, Site or Zone, it is removed from all Branches in that Pipe, Site or Zone.

Include a Rule from another Rule Set or World

If required, apply a rule to a component from another rule world or rule set, from the Pipe Router window, select the branches to apply the rule to, click Branch Detail. From the Branch Detail window, click Component Rules to display the Component Rules window, which can be used to add additional rules from the available rule sets, or from another rule world.

From the Rules applying to current component list, select the component that the rule is applied to.

The letter that precedes the rule description shows where the rule was originally applied. The letters used are:

• B Branch

• PPipe

• Z Zone

• S Site

From the Rules available list, select the rule to be applied to the selected component, then click Include. The rule is added to the list of rules which apply to the component. Click Dismiss to close the Component Rules window.

Disabling a Rule from a Component

Toprevent Pipe Router from applying a rule to a particular component in a branch, from the Pipe Router window, select the branch which contains the component. Click Branch Detail to display the Branch Detail window. From the Branch Detail window, select the component to be excluded from the rule. Click Component Rules to display the Component Rules window.

From the list of rules that apply to the current component, select the rule to disable from the component, then click Disable. Pipe Router places an asterisk (*) to the left of the rule description to indicate that the rule is now excluded from being used.

To re-enable a disabled rule, select the rule, then select Enable. The rule now appears in the Rules applying to current component list, preceded by a plus sign (+) indicating that it has been included.

Create and Use Routing Planes

Routing planes are rectangular planes which are used to guide pipes along their length. Routing planes are useful, for example, in routing groups of pipes along a wall or ceiling, or to group pipes close together. For example two routing planes can be used, one above the other, to group all north/south pipes together and all east/west pipes together.

Note:
For Pipe Router, a Pipe Rack is defined as a group of routing planes. Refer to How Pipe Router Uses a Plane for further information on Pipe Racks.

How Pipe Router Uses a Plane

Pipe Router makes sure that pipes take the best route available from the previous constraint to the routing plane. If the most direct route to the plane is blocked, Pipe Router selects an alternative route which makes sure that the pipe enters the plane at the earliest opportunity, which is usually just after the obstruction. The pipe exits from the plane at the point which enables it to take the most direct route to the next constraint. If the most direct route to the next constraint is blocked, the pipe exits from the plane just before the obstruction. Pipes are routed along the length of a routing plane.

To set whether the center, top or bottom of pipes is aligned on the routing plane. If a pipe is insulated, the plane automatically takes the insulation into account by positioning the pipe at a height which allows for the insulation.

Note:
Allowances for shoe heights using a SHOE rule. Refer to Automatic Pipe Route Administration for further information.

Using More Than One Plane to Route a Branch

More than one routing plane can be used to route a branch, however there must be routing points or locked components between the planes. If this is not the case, Pipe Router may encounter difficulties in deciding when to leave one plane and enter another.

You must not use two adjacent planes with the same travel direction and no perpendicular offset between them. For turns in the same plane, planes should touch, within 100cm, corner to corner, but not overlap. To use groups of routing planes to create Pipe Racks. Refer to Create and Use Pipe Racks for further information.

Create a Routing Plane

To create a routing plane make sure the STRU element is selected, from the Pipe Router window, select Create > Routing Plane to display the Create Routing Plane window, a routing plane element is created in the design hierarchy.

In the name box, input the name of the new routing plane which is the name that displays in the Members List and the Branch Detail window.

In the Description box, input the description of the routing plane, this text is not used elsewhere in AVEVA E3D™. (It may be useful for keeping a record of the plane’s purpose for future reference).

The Position of the pipe wrt to the plane can be changed by selecting from a choice of options in the Pipe positioning drop-down list.

Top of pipe - Positions the top of the pipe on horizontal routing planes, or in front of vertical routing planes adjusting for any insulation. Top is the Z direction of the Plane which displays with an arrow.

• Centre of pipe - Positions the center of the pipe along the routing plane.

• Bottom of pipe - Positions the side of the pipe below horizontal routing planes, or behind vertical routing planes, adjusting for any insulation.

The Pipe to Pipe Gap and Packing Method options control how Pipes are packed on the plane, refer to Pipe Packing for further information. Click OK.

The Routing Plane Dimensions window displays.

Type in the dimensions for the routing plane:

The position from which the routing plane takes its dimensions can be changed by selecting from a choice of options in the Anchor drop-down list:

• Centre

• Corner

Enter the coordinates on the Routing Plane Dimension window or use the other options available on the menu, which are similar to the normal AVEVA E3D™ positioning options.

In the Length box, input the length of the plane, from the Dir drop-down list, select the direction that the pipes are to be routed along wrt to the plane.

In the Width box, input the width of the plane, then set the direction wrt to the width of the plane.

Click Apply to create the routing plane or Dismiss to discard any inputs and close the Routing Plane Dimension window.

The Routing Planes Dimensions window displays.

A vertical routing plane can be created by setting one of the Dir fields to be U or D (up or down). The up/front direction of the plane is indicated by a construction arrow in the graphical view which is drawn perpendicular to the plane. To reverse the direction, reverse either of the length or width directions, for instance from E to W.

Use a Routing Plane to Route Branches

To route a branch via a routing plane, the routing plane must be added to the constraint list for the branch. From the Pipe Router window, select the branch to add the plane to, click Branch Detail to display the Branch Detail window, which contains details of the selected branch. Select Add > Routing Plane > Selection to display the Add Routing Plane window.

Select from the available planes the Plane list.

Where the plane is inserted can be defined by selecting from a choice of options in the Insert After drop-down list.

Click to check the Last on Plane check box to specify that positionable components are placed on the plane.

Click OK, the routing plane is added to the Components/Constraint list for the branch or Cancel to discard any changes and close the Add Routing Plane window.

Route the branches, using the Pipe Router, the branches are routed via the routing plane.

Add Routing Planes Automatically

Pipe Router provides facilities to automatically add pre-defined routing planes to a branch, which can be useful if for instance you must run all north/south running pipes at one elevation, and all east/west pipes at another.

Pipe Router can add either one vertical plane, or two horizontal planes, providing the horizontal planes are oriented perpendicular to one another.

The routing planes are added at the head of the branch. The planes must be able to be reached directly from the head for them to be included. If there are more planes than are required, the closest ones to the head are chosen.

If there are constraints in the branch, such as routing points, or locked components, an additional two horizontal or one vertical plane is searched for at the tail of the branch. These must be reachable directly from the tail and are added to the Components/Constraints list as the last constraints before the tail.

Planes are searched for in a box defined by the head and tail of the branch. The box is extended by the values specified in the Pipe Router Defaults window. Only pipes that travel along routing planes a distance greater than the Minimum Travel Distance are considered.

To add routing planes automatically

From the Pipe Router window, select the branch to add routing planes to, click Branch Detail. Select Add > Routing Plane > Automatically. The branches appear in the Command Input & Output window but not on the Status bar. The Components/Constraints list on the Branch Detail window are updated with the selected routing planes.

Components on Planes

The Last on Plane check box on the Add Routing Plane window (and the Last on Rack check box on the Add Pipe Rack window) allows you to specify that positionable and locked components are placed on the plane. When it is switched on, the neighbouring list shows all the positionable and locked components in the Branch: select the one required: all the positionable and locked components after the Plane, up to and including the component given as Last on Plane, are positioned on the plane.

You can have several positionable components on a plane or rack and have more than one locked component on a rack providing they are aligned.

• Reducers are not permitted as positionable or locked components on a plane.

Locked Straight-through Components

Locked components on planes can be placed on the plane, but note the following conditions:

• Locked components define the slot on the plane for the Branch. If there is more than one locked component for a branch on a plane or rack, all of these components must lie in the same slot.

• There must be sufficiently wide gaps on the plane to fit in any component required, for example, by using a large enough basic gap, or using WF / FF spacing with large enough flange widths.

• The arrive and leave directions must be along the travel direction.

Locked Bends and Elbows

Since locked bends or elbows define the start or end of the slot:

• Locked bends and elbows define the start or end of the slot on the travel plane as well as the slot itself. Hence there can be at most one entry bend/elbow and one exit bend/elbow.

• For a locked bend or elbow used to enter the travel plane from the entry plane, the arrive-direction must be from the entry-plane and the leave-direction along the travel plane

• For a locked bend or elbow used to leave the travel plane, the arrive direction must be along the travel plane and the leave-direction must be to the exit plane.

If there are no rules about choosing entry/exit planes, Pipe Router uses the entry and exit bend/elbow to help it to choose suitable entry/exit planes.

Create and Use Pipe Racks

In Pipe Router, the term pipe rack is used to describe a group of routing planes which enables you to automatically model the routing patterns used on a physical pipe rack.

A pipe rack is made up of routing planes (RPLAs) created within a routing plane group (RPLG). The planes represent travel planes and entry/exit planes.

To create pipe racks with several levels, that is several travel planes. For each level of a pipe rack, a travel plane must be created to control the direction in which pipes travel along the rack and at least one entry/exit plane to make sure that pipes enter onto and exit from the rack perpendicularly, either from above or below. Each pipe rack must have at least one travel plane and at least one entry/exit plane. The direction of travel is the X direction (length) for travel planes and the Y direction (width) for entry and exit planes.

Pipe Router assumes that the RPLAs in an RPLG have their centers on a vertical line. The entry and exit planes must be:

• At least as long (in the X direction) as the travel Plane(s)

• Wider (in the Y direction) than the travel planes

• At least twice the bend length.

When entry/exit planes are created, specify the distance by which they overhang the travel planes. The overhang make sure that the vertical legs of pipes which enter and exit the rack are clear of the pipe rack structure.

A pipe rack may have an upper entry/exit plane, a lower entry/exit or both, depending on the way in which the pipes are to enter and exit a pipe rack. In a pipe rack that has several levels, an entry/exit plane can be used by more than one level.

To manually associate a pipe rack with individual branches or tell Pipe Router to automatically search for and make use of any pipe racks which exist within the search volume of a branch or branches. The default search volume is the volume between the head and tail of a pipe, and it can be extended as specified on the Pipe Router Defaults window.

Pipe Router selects the closest pipe rack to the head in the search volume, whose direction takes the pipe closer to the tail, and providing that when using it, the pipe travels on the rack for longer than the Minimum Travel Distance as defined on the Pipe Router Defaults window.

Rack or Plane as Last Constraint

If you are responsible for one area of a plant and a different designer is responsible for an adjacent area, a branch may run out of the first area on a pipe rack. Put the rack in the constraint list and run the branch to the area limits., by using the free tail option from the Branch Details window. A branch has a free tail when the tail is either not connected or is directly connected to another branch; and the tail is not locked.

A free tail can be specified immediately after a pipe-rack or plane. When a branch has a plane or rack as its last constraint and a free tail, Pipe Router routes the branch onto the plane or rack. It travels in the direction implied by the tail direction until it reaches the edge of the plane or rack and then becomes the tail position.

For example: User-A is responsible for one area of a plant and User-B is responsible for an adjacent area. A branch /P100/B1 runs out of User-A's area on a pipe-rack. User-A puts the rack in the constraint list with the end of the travel plane at the limits, and specifies the tail direction and that the tail is free. AVEVA E3D™ Router packs the pipe onto the rack and run it to the end of the rack.

User-B connects the head of a Pipe /P200/B1 to the tail of /P100/B1 and begins routing from this point. User-B must make sure that the position of the head of branch /P200/B1 is initially unset. AVEVA E3D™ Router uses the Branch Lock so that the head /P200/B1moves if the connected tail moves. If the pipe starts by travelling along an extension of the rack in User-A's area then User-B has a rack with its starting edge at the limit to represent this.

How Pipes are Routed on a Pipe Rack

By default, Pipe Router avoids pockets by first finding the travel plane. If the Head is above the plane, the Pipe enters from above the plane. If the Head is below the plane, the Pipe enters from below the plane. Exit from the plane is similarly controlled by the position of the Tail relative to the plane.

There are three routing rules which enables you to set which planes are used as entry, exit or travel planes on pipe racks. The rules are:

• Pipe rack travel plane selection

  Use this rule to specify which level of a multi‑level pipe rack you want to use to route a particular type of branch.

• Pipe Rack entry plane selection

  Use this rule to specify the way in which pipes enter onto a rack, based on the contents of the pipe. In order to use this rule, set up an attribute which defines the pipe’s contents, for example vapour or liquid.

• Pipe Rack exit plane selection

  Use this rule to specify the way in which pipes exit from a rack, based on the contents of the pipe. In order to use this rule, set up an attribute which defines the pipe’s contents. If no rule exists, the entry plane is used.

Pipe Packing Defaults

By default, Pipe Router runs pipes along Routing planes with the wall-to-wall Pipe Gap, with any rounding factor for the positioning, as given on the Pipe Router Defaults window. Refer to Pipe Packing for further information about how Pipes are packed on Planes and Racks.

Methods for Creating Pipe Racks

Create a pipe rack using either of the following methods:

• Convert an existing steelwork structure into a pipe rack, using elements of the steelwork as reference points for the position and dimensions of the planes.

• Create the routing planes which model the behaviour of a pipe rack and then add the steelwork later, once you are satisfied with the route. In Pipe Router, this is referred to as a conceptual pipe rack. Refer to Create a Conceptual Pipe Rack for further information.

Converting a Steelwork Structure to a Pipe Rack

To create a pipe rack, using elements of a steelwork structure as reference points to position the planes. Before a pipe rack is created, pipes need to be created to route via the pipe rack. Navigate to the STRU element, the current element must be a STRU, FRMW or SBFR as routing plane groups can only be create routing plane groups inside a these elements.

From the Pipe Router window, select Create > Pipe Rack Planes to display the Create Pipe Rack window.

In the Name box, input a name for the pipe rack, (the name of the STRU element which owns the pipe rack elements displays under the Name).

Select an element in the steelwork, click Convert to display the Pipe Rack Definition window and pick an element in the steelwork to create the rack from.

Define values which apply to all the planes in the Rack. When a pipe rack is created in this way, the following parameters have been derived from the existing structure and cannot be changed at this point:

• Elevation of Anchor Plane

• Elevation between Planes

• Number of Travel Planes

• Number of Entry/Exit Planes.

  Note:
  The Anchor Plane is the lowest travel plane in the rack.

The Overhang of Entry/Exit planes can be changed. The default value is set on the Pipe Router Defaults window.

Set any Options to apply to all planes in the Rack. Refer to Pipe Packing Defaults for further information in Pipe to Pipe Gap and Packing Method.

Click OK on the Pipe Rack Definition window, the Planes part of the Create Pipe Rack window is now populated.

Click Dismiss to discard any changes.

Note:
Routing planes are added with transparency, the degree of transparency is controlled by the Drawlist.

Pipe Router has automatically filled in the Rack Direction, and the Dimensions of the rack. The details of the Planes display in the list of Planes at the bottom of the window. The Plane attributes area of the window, the display values are those for the plane selected in the Planes list. The Plane Attributes can be edited for individual planes by changing the values in the window and then click Include to create a new plane or Replace to replace the plane selected in the list.

Add a Pipe Rack to a Branch

There are two ways in which branches are associated with a pipe rack:

• Manually add a pipe rack to the list of constraints for a branch.

• Pipe Router automatically makes use of any pipe racks that exist within a certain area between the head and tail of a branch.

Automatically Adding Pipe Racks to a Branch

To automatically add a pipe rack to the list of constraints for a branch:

Select the branches from the Pipe Router window and select Modify > Branch > Add Pipe Rack > Automatically. The status line states which rack is being added to the constraints lists for the selected branches.

Manually Adding Pipe Racks to a Branch

To manually add a pipe rack to the list of constraints for a branch, from the Pipe Router window, select the branch, select Modify > Branch > Add Pipe Rack > Selection to display the Add Pipe Rack window.

The Add Pipe Rack window contains a list of the pipe racks that are available for selection.

Select the required rack, click OK to add the rack to the Components/Constraint list for the selected branch or Cancel to discard any selections and close the Add Pipe Rack window.

You must then route all the branches using the Pipe Router window.

The default route creates pockets in three of the Pipes. By default, Pipe Router routes all pipes that are associated with a pipe rack along the first travel plane that it finds in the routing plane group (RPLG).

Note:
Routing rules can be used to achieve a better route: refer to Automatic Pipe Route Administration for further information.

Create a Conceptual Pipe Rack

You can also route pipes using a conceptual pipe rack, that is, a pipe rack without any associated steelwork. The steelwork can be added later.

Route the pipes before adding the pipe rack, which allows you to see the effect of the routing plane on the route taken by the pipes.

Note:
Routing plane groups can only be created inside a STRU element.

Navigate to the STRU element, from the Pipe Router window, select Create > Structure for Planes to display the Name Structure for RPLG window, a STRU element is created in the design hierarchy.

In the Name box, input the name for the structure.

Click OK to name the STRU element and close the Name Structure for RPLG window or Cancel to discard any inputs and close the Name Structure for RPLG window.

From the Pipe Router window, select Create > Pipe Rack Planes to display the Create Pipe Rack window. Define the Pipe Rack, refer to Create and Use Pipe Racks for further information on how to populate this window. Once the Pipe Rack has been created, click Create Multiple planes to display the Pipe Rack Definition window. Define the Pipe Rack, refer to Create and Use Pipe Racks for further information.

Pipe Router creates an outline of all the planes for the rack and displays an arrow on the travel planes to indicate the travel direction of the rack, which enables you to check whether the plane is acceptable.

Add the pipe rack to the Branches, and route the pipes to display the route taken by the pipes.

Pipe Packing

Specify the gaps between Pipes on Routing Planes, which includes Routing Planes defining Pipe Racks. The section only deals with setting values for pipe packing using the Pipe Router windows. Pipe packing can also be controlled by means of Rules, which are described in Automatic Pipe Route Administration.

Pipe Packing Defaults

By default, Pipe Router runs pipes along Routing planes with the wall-to-wall Pipe gap given on the Pipe Router Defaults window.

• Gaps only apply to pipes on planes or racks, use obstruction volumes to model clearance of pipes from columns and other required clearances.

• Gaps are always the sideways displacement: any vertical difference between the centerlines of pipes do not affect packing. Very small pipes are not be packed under the edge of very large diameter pipes.

The Pipe Gap is calculated:

With a 50mm wall-to-wall gap, the center of a branch of OD 200mm is placed 225mm from the center of an adjacent branch of OD 150mm.

The Pipe Router Defaults window also has a Pipe gap rounding option, which makes sure that the centers of pipe are positioned at rounded coordinates relative to the edge of the routing plane. Coordinates are always rounded up. If no rounding is required, leave this value as 0. AVEVA E3D™ Router obtains values from the OD (for the current Pipe) or the geometry (for adjacent Pipes), and assume that these are consistent.

For example, consider two Pipes, OD 145mm and 60mm, on a plane for which the gap is 100mm. If the rounding factor is set to 10, the center of the first Pipe is placed at 80 (rather than 72.5). The center-to-center distance is:

72.5 + 100 + 30 = 202.5

which is rounded up to 210. Hence the center of the second Pipe is placed at 290:

Flanges on Routing Planes

If you need to run sections of Pipes which include Flanges along routing planes, you can specify that the gap value is applied as a wall-to-flange (WF) gap, if the flanges can be staggered, or as a flange-to-flange (FF) gap, if the flanges are side-by-side on the plane. The default is wall-to-wall (WW) spacing. The spacing is controlled by the PLWW attribute of the RPLA. PLWW can be set to WW, WF or FF.

The Flange spacing options can be set in the following ways:

• For single routing planes

  set the options on the Create Routing Plane window when Create > Routing Plane on the Pipe Router window menu is selected. You can also change the settings for an existing routing plane on the RPLA Specification window, displayed when Modify > Routing Plane > Specification on the Pipe Router window is selected.

• For pipe racks

  set the options on the Pipe Rack Definition window, when you create a pipe rack. You can also change the settings for an existing Pipe Rack on the Modify Pipe Rack window, when Modify > Pipe Rack is selected on the Pipe Router window.

The flange width is the width of the default flange (for example, the flange which is obtained with a SELECT command) for the branches at their current bore, even if there are other flanges on the pipe rack.

Notes:

The flange width is taken as 0 if:

• No rule is applied.

• If you try to specify WF or FF spacing between branches either of which does not have a default flange.

If necessary you can change the spacing using the additional pipe-specific gap on the Pipe Router Defaults window.

• When wall-to-flange spacing is used, the greater of the flange widths for the current pipe and the adjacent pipe is added to the wall-to-wall spacing.

• When flange-to-flange spacing is used, the flange width of both pipes is added to the wall-to-wall gap.

The size of flanges is found using the Flange Width (FLWI) rule, which is applied to the default flange for each branch at its current bore. Refer to Automatic Pipe Route Administration for further information about routing rules.

Import a P&ID File

If the P&ID system is configured so that it is capable of outputting data for use in AVEVA E3D™, you can load a P&ID file into Pipe Router. Refer to Importing Data from P&ID Files for further information about configuring P&ID output so that it is suitable for input into Pipe Router.

Navigate to the site or zone where to load the pipes from the P&ID. From the Pipe Router window, select Create > New Pipes from P&ID to display the Import P&ID window.

In the Import File text box, input the directory and file name of the P&ID file to load. Alternatively, click Browse to display the File Browser which contains a list of the available files, then select the required file.

If you would like to keep a copy of the log file produced during import, in the Log File box, input a file name. Alternatively, click Browse to display the File Browser which contains a list of the available files, then select the required file.

The options can be defined by selecting from the Options part of the Import P&ID window:

• Modify Elements, do not ask. - Pipe Router modifies Pipes and Branches which are in both the existing model and the P&ID file. If this option is not selected, you are prompted to decide whether to modify the element or not. Minor elements (Valves, Tees and other minor components.) are made unnamed if they already exist, whether this set to on or off.

• Do NOT delete generated macro - During import, a macro is created to generate all the components. Normally this file is deleted after import, but if you select this option it is kept.

• Show log file after import - Displays the log file. The log file can be displayed later using the Display > Log file option on the menu at the top of the window.

• Unname tees after import - If an element has a name in DESIGN, Design Manager attempts to find the name in PEGS. Tees do not exist in PEGS, and so each Tee found generates an error if this option is not selected.

To import the P&ID file, click Run Import.

The Modified Pipes & Branches list shows any existing Pipes and Branches that have been modified when the P&ID was read in. As far as possible, Pipe Router attempts to keep any attributes that have already been set in the model, and any constraints that have been added to Branches. However, if the P&ID file requires components to be re-ordered, elements are deleted and re-created in AVEVA E3D Design, resulting in attribute settings and constraint associations to be lost.

Messages generated are also output to the Command Input & Output window, if the window displays currently. The log contains messages relating to the progress of the import operation, and any errors or warnings. In particular, the Branch Head must be positioned, if the HREF is not set.

The import file is processed in two passes:

Pass 1:
looks for any components that appear more than once. For example, in PEGS, a three-way valve appears on three branches. The import process removes the Valve from the branches that have the component set as a TREF, leaving it as a member of the main branch only.

Pass 2:
generates the macro to create the elements.

If there is no Piping specification set in the P&ID file, then the pipe will be rejected.