Drawing Pipes and Channels

To simplify construction of pipes and channels, all drawing, moving and copying of pipes and channels initially defaults to the horizontal Edit Plane, regardless of the orientation of the view screen. To assist the user further, pipes and channels being drawn or moved will automatically ‘click’ and join to objects under the mouse cursor, even if at different elevations or distances away.

Hint:  To quickly change the view from horizontal plan view to vertical section view, press the F2 button

If pipes and channels are drawn in isolation (not connected to others), they will use the default settings specified in the Settings form.  If objects are drawn connected from other objects, they will inherit the settings from the objects from which they are drawn. Objects can be drawn from another object's end (node) or from any other point along an object's. Pumpsim™ will create a new node (or junction) if none already exists.

Hint:  Pumpsim™ can detect whether an object being constructed crosses the paths of other objects.  For example, if a long pipe is drawn from one point to another, over which it crosses the paths of existing pipes, Pumpsim™ will join this object into the crossed pipes with new nodes.  This will only happen in the drawing mode.  If objects are imported (from a DXF for example), crossed junctions will not automatically be detected.

To draw in the third dimension (up or down in elevation) where there is not objects above or below to click to, first draw the object to the desired horizontal (plan) location, then press the Shift key.  The Edit Plane will turn semi-transparent, and further movements of the mouse will occur in a Vertical Plane parallel to the computer screen.

To draw a straight vertical pipe start drawing and press the alt key.

The Edit Plane will follow the vertical movement, assisting in showing where the cursor is in relation to other object elevations.  In addition, the numbers in the lower left status bar will show the elevation and coordinates of the point.


Fig. 3.1.1: A pipe that has been drawn in a vertical plane.

Manual Coordinate Entry

Pipes and channels can be manually added, moved or copied by selecting a manual coordinate entry system.  To activate this system while in draw mode, click on an object end or somewhere in empty space.  To activate this system every time an object is drawn (to allow manual adjustment or entry of object ends) select the pull down arrow on the ADD button and choose the Coordinates sub-option from the button.  

To activate the system, when moving or copying, simply click an existing pipe or channel end while in the Move or Copy mode.  A coordinate window will show and the coordinates (or offsets) of the object can be entered.

The coordinate entry allow the ends of objects to be manually adjusted, or by using a vector polar coordinate or a physical offset of the easting’s, northing's and elevation.  End coordinate values are adjusted in real time as offsets or polar coordinates are adjusted.  To apply the change, simply click OK when completed.

Moving Pipes

Depending on where the object is clicked with the mouse in Move mode, either end, or the entire object may be moved.  If the ends (nodes) of the object are connected to other objects, they will be stretched to accommodate.  An object can be ‘broken’ away from a node by selecting it a small distance back from the node, and ‘dragging’ it away with the mouse. Multiple objects can be copied or moved by Selecting the objects (with the Select button, or by drawing a Fence around the objects while in Move or Copy mode), and then dragging the selected objects or clicking one with the mouse coordinates. If a fitting is clicked and is not selected, the linked pipes will move with it.


Fig. 3.1.2: A model before pipes have been moved.


Pipes and node are selected and then moved simultaneously.

Pipe is ‘broken away' from node and pulled away with mouse.

Pipe junction is moved with all attached pipes.


Moving Nodes

If the mouse is on the node only, it will move only the node. If at least one pipe is selected, the pipes will move to stay connected. Pressing the control key allow the tank to move away form pipe.

Junction is moved with all attached pipes

Fitting is moved away without the pipes

Copying Pipes

Objects can be copied, much in the same way as the Move function.  A pipe can be ‘grabbed’ with the mouse and ‘dropped’ in a new location, or the pipe can be clicked and manually copied with new coordinates.  In addition, a group of pipes can be selected with the Select button, or by drawing a fence around the pipes, and then clicking or dragging one of the selected pipes.


Fig. 3.1.3: A copied pipe.

Channels

Pumpsim™ allows the user to simulate channels in the network. Channels are created with an open top, hence there is no pressure built. The flow entering a channel will be the flow exiting.

Rules for building channels

  1. Entry and exit

Channels are simulated in sections; water will enter the channel section from a pipe, a fixed flow pump or an overflowing tank and exit by a drain, a tank or an open end.  If water is flowing directly from a tank and the channel is at the tank water level, the tank will overflow into the channel. If the water level is higher than the channel connection, the flow will be calculated based on the flow through an orifice with the same size as the channel.

Caution:  The flow in the channel cannot be fixed at the exit. There should not be any fitting at the end or in the channel.

  1. Direction

The direction of the flow in a channel is based on the elevation. Pumpsim™ will make all channels flow down, except for a channel considered flat. To make the drawing easier, channels with a small slope will be considered flat. The minimal slope can be changed in the "Settings" panel.  The water depth in a channel will be calculated using the minimal slope.

Caution:  Even though Pumpsim™ can handle flat channels, it is advised to have at least one channel with the right slope per segment.

Shapes

The shape of a channel will influence the water depth, hence the velocity of the water. Pumpsim™ allows four different channel shapes:

These shapes are defined by their width at the top and their depth (and bottom width for trapezoidal channel shapes).


Drain hole

Pumpsim™ make possible simple simulation of drain. If a pipe is set as a Drain Entry, the water capacity will be limited by how much water goes into the drain and by the maximum capacity of the drain ( flow considering than the drain is full and at atmospheric pressure on the drain hole). Two type of flow can develop:

Caution:  Only one pipe or channel can be connected to a drain hole. If several sources exist, simply add a small pipe or drain connecting on one side the several connections and the drain on the other.

Editing Pipes And Channel


Fig. 3.1.2: The window for editing pipes.

Pipe Names and Coordinates

Sets the pipe and node names, pipe coordinates. To set new names or coordinates, simply type the information into the relevant text boxes.  Names are optional and are not required for the simulation. To avoid mistake, changing the coordinate of a node connected to a tank is disabled. The height of the connection con be change in the Tank Connection section.

Pipe Size

Sets the physical size and shape characteristics of the pipe.

Pipe Options

Controls various attributes relating to the pipe behaviour and identification within a model.


Tank Option