Calculation of pipe parameters: how to correctly calculate the weight, mass and volume of a pipe

Amir Gumarov
Checked by a specialist: Amir Gumarov
Author: Natalya Listyeva
Last update: November 2019

The need to make the calculation of the pipe and accurately determine its specific gravity, total weight and volume arises when laying new communication elements or replacing old ones, during ongoing repairs or scheduled maintenance of systems, during the construction of private and multi-apartment buildings, public buildings and industrial structures.

The data obtained are entered into the project documentation and make it possible to make an estimate as accurately as possible, indicate the total cost of the upcoming work and determine the number of personnel and equipment capable of coping with the task in accordance with the stated timelines.

Let's see how and why the weight and volume of pipes are calculated together.

What are pipes calculated for?

A preliminary detailed calculation of pipes allows you to find out how much material you need to take for the correct arrangement of the selected system and helps to avoid unnecessary waste of money on the purchase, transportation and subsequent installation of parts.

With the right approach, the finished pipeline will work clearly and reliably, and coolant will move in it at the required speed, thus providing the most effective operational return on the entire communication system.

When making estimates, plumbing system designers recommend taking into account indicators such as:

  • basic pipeline throughput;
  • level of potential heat loss;
  • type, volume and thickness of the required insulation;
  • the amount of material that protects the pipe from corrosion and other negative external influences;
  • degree of smoothness or roughness of the inner surface of the pipe.

Based on these data, choosing the right type and ordering the right amount of pipe rental will be much faster and easier.

How to calculate the parameters in everyday life?

In order to correctly calculate the basic parameters of the pipe rolling planned for use, first of all, determine the type of material and section of the part, the outer and inner diameter, the wall thickness and the length of the pipe itself.

Information System of Standards and GOSTs
The most complete data regarding GOSTs and standards can be found in a virtual search and information system that provides open access to the documentation of the Federal Information Fund and all current thematic updates

Part of the data is obtained quickly and simply by measuring the selected product with a construction tape. Further information is provided by supporting documents, quality certificates issued to the manufacturer by the relevant authorities, specialized directories, current GOSTs and open Internet sources.

Methodology of calculations in industry

On large and large-scale facilities under construction or under repair, the process of determining parameters begins with input control. Engineers and installers check the accompanying documentation, certificates and company markings affixed to the pipe manufacturer.

Pipe unloading at the facility
A thorough inspection of the batch of pipe material at the time of delivery allows you to identify potential non-conformities and, if they are found, to reasonably refuse the supplier to accept substandard products

From these data, the nominal sizes of the material obtained, the metal grade or type of plastic, the batch number of the goods, the results of the X-ray flaw detector manufacturer and the chemical analysis of the smelting, the type of heat treatment and the date of the technical specifications are known.

In industrial conditions, the actual pipe length is measured using a measuring wire or tape measure. Deviation from the numbers stated in the factory documentation to a greater or lesser extent for products of the first class is considered permissible if it does not exceed 15 millimeters, for the second class - 100 millimeters.

Round pipe marking
Basic pipe data can be obtained from the marking.It is usually applied to the outer or inner part of the product at a small distance from one of the ends. They indicate the name of the manufacturer, the melting number, the equivalent carbon content (for metals), the production date, number and nominal size parameters

The outer diameter of the pipes used in industry is verified by the formula:

D = L: π-2Δр-0.2 mm

It takes into account such parameters as:

  • D is the desired diameter;
  • L is the length of the outer circumference of the pipe;
  • Δp is the thickness of the material of which the tape measure is made;
  • 0.2 millimeters - allowable allowance for abutment to the surface of the measuring tool.

Errors and deviations of the actual diameter from those declared by the manufacturer for products with a cross section of up to 200 millimeters are allowed within 1.5 millimeters. For pipes with a large cross-section, this indicator is considered normal if it does not exceed 0.7% of the diameter figure indicated in the documentation.

Determination of the diameter of the pipe material

To clarify the diameter of the pipe used in the repair and installation work, first measure its circumference. An ordinary sewing tape is suitable for this. If it is not at hand, the pipe is simply wrapped with a dense thread, rope or twine, and then a fragment is applied to the ruler and its length is recognized.

Caliper diameter measurement
The outer diameter of the pipe can be measured by an ordinary tape measure or a clerical ruler. However, these methods are appropriate where minimum requirements are imposed on the accuracy of the parameters. For more accurate calculations (up to tenths of a millimeter), it is better to use a caliper. True, this measurement option is relevant only for products with a small cross section.

For the purpose of subsequent accurate calculations, an elementary mathematical formula for determining the circumference is used:

L = πD

(L - denotes the length of the outer circle of the circle; π - is a constant number "pi", which in all cases has the same value - 3.14 (for the most accurate calculations, up to eight digits after the decimal point are taken into account); D - symbolizes the diameter of the circle circle).

To correctly calculate the outer diameter, the equation is transformed into the formula D = L / π and all the necessary calculations are performed.

Plastic pipes of different diameters
Accurate data on the inner and outer diameter of the pipe allows you to calculate in detail the actual throughput of the pipeline, its strength and resistance to operational loads

To determine the size of the inner diameter of the circle, first measure the wall thickness of the pipe material, and then this value, multiplied by 2, is subtracted from the number that determines the outer diameter of the product.

Measurement of parameters in difficult conditions

If the pipe to be measured is difficult to access, use the copy method and apply a suitable measuring tool or object with already known parameters to the part, for example, a matchbox.

Then the necessary area is photographed and all other calculations are performed, focusing on the image. The obtained values ​​are then converted into real pipe rolling parameters taking into account the scale of the survey.

The nuances of measuring the diameter of the pipes for the heating system

In the process of arranging a heating complex, the diameter of the pipes is determined as correctly and accurately as possible. The subsequent efficiency of the entire system and its ability to produce the required amount of heating will depend on the correctness of these data.

Pipes for mounting a heating system
Pipe material intended for arranging a heating system must clearly correspond to the declared diameter. Too narrow fittings will not withstand the active circulation of the heating element and will wear out quickly, and too wide will lose heat and will not be able to properly heat the room

Pipes mounted for heating residential or industrial premises are subject to special requirements. They are expected to have high operational stability and the ability to withstand the pressure of the coolant.

When using elements of an incorrect diameter, this task becomes extremely difficult. As a result, significant heat loss occurs, and it becomes cold and uncomfortable in an apartment, house, office or work shop.

Features of calculating the volume of the pipe

Calculation of the exact volume of the used pipe is a mandatory procedure when arranging any communication system. If you skip this step or treat it irresponsibly, too high pressure is generated in the functioning pipeline.

It will accelerate the wear of the material and lead to the fact that the system will require constant repair and in the end it will simply fail, not even having worked out the established warranty period.

Water pipe routing
A correct calculation of the volume of pipes will ensure a high-quality supply of water to the house and allow owners to use it in the most convenient mode for themselves. Mounted on the basis of accurate data, the complex will work for a long time and reliably, without requiring complex maintenance and overhaul

Low pressure will also have a negative effect, because it makes it difficult or even completely impossible to fully and comfortably operate the system in a mode convenient for the consumer.

General parameters and necessary calculations

To calculate the volume of a given segment of a pipe part, the circumference of the pipe circumference is first determined by the outer diameter. Do this using formulas

S = π (D / 2) ² or S = πR²

In this case, D means a digital indicator of the outer diameter of the pipe, and R is half the outer diameter, that is, the radius. The resulting value is multiplied by the length of the processed fragment and as a result, the volume in cubic meters is obtained.

Further necessary calculations are carried out according to the formula for calculating the volume of the cylinder

V = SH

where V indicates the volume of the pipe, expressed in cubic meters, S means the external cross-sectional area indicated in square meters, and H is the length of the pipe section, calculated in meters. For the correctness of actions, first all units of measurement are converted into a single vector and only after that the necessary calculations are carried out.

Calculation of the volume of pipes for water and gas supply

The correct calculation of the volume of steel pipes intended for communications responsible for water and gas supply begins with determining the diameter. The most popular models are reinforced pipes with a base diameter of 25.5 millimeters and ordinary universal pipes with a diameter of 27.1 millimeters.

According to professionals, when laying a simple system, the accuracy of the indicators is not too important, since the volume of the pipe is calculated by the generally established dimensionless indicators, called the conditional passage. The digital value of these values ​​is determined from the special tables and only if it is necessary to calculate the pressure.

If it is planned to use antifreeze, they try to do the calculations more accurately. This avoids unnecessary material costs and significantly reduces the overall cost of laying communications.

Glycerol-based antifreeze
Glycerin-based antifreeze is absolutely safe for humans, does not provoke corrosion in equipment and does not damage the inner tube surface. However, its cost is quite high. To save yourself from wasting extra money, you need to very clearly calculate the volume of pipes and buy exactly as much substance as you need

Next, calculate the radius of the part. To do this, in the formula:

R = D / 2

they fill in the data contained in the accompanying documentation or in the pipe marking (D means the base diameter declared by the manufacturer), and then, appealing with the numbers obtained, perform the necessary computational actions.

Small diameter pipes with round cross-section
You can make the calculation of the radius of the pipe material in a simpler way according to the formula R = L / 6,28318530. L here denotes the length of the circle, which is easy to measure with a tape measure or rope, and digital symbols mean the letter Pi multiplied by 2

At the next stage, find the cross-sectional area. For this, the numerical value of the radius is squared and once again multiplied by the number of PIs (3.14). If the radius of the part is expressed in millimeters, the calculation of the cross-sectional area is carried out in square millimeters. At the end, all the obtained values ​​are laid in the formula V = SH and the desired number is obtained.

We also recommend that you read a more detailed article on how to correctly calculate the volume of pipes. More details - go to the link.

Rules for calculating the weight of a tubular part

At first glance, it is not difficult to calculate the weight of a running meter of pipe. Just look at the product labeling, check with the relevant reference materials (certification certificates, supporting documentation, approved GOSTs, etc.) and get all the necessary data from there.

You can take advantage of a specially developed online program, enter the information available on hand and within 1-2 minutes to see the exact results on a computer monitor, tablet screen or phone display.

Round steel pipes
When buying a batch of steel pipes, checking the weight of the products is vital. If rolled metal weighs more than required, it simply will not be enough to build the planned structure or complete the system. In addition, the additional burden that was not taken into account when designing the project will increase the load on the supports and in the future may provoke an unforeseen emergency situation or a partial or complete collapse of the object

But sometimes there are no directories at hand and the ability to use virtual resources is also missing. But there is a pipe material made of metal or plasticurgently requiring a determination of its actual mass.

And the settlement procedure here is very important, since many types of products are sold precisely by weight, and heavier ones often vary significantly in value with lightened ones.

Batch of pipes of medium diameter
The discrepancy between the actual weight of the pipe and the declared one happens quite often. Instead of those indicated in the project, suppliers sometimes bring lighter material to the customer. At first glance, this is not a big deal, and even lightweight pipes are more than enough for the planned construction. However, a lighter, thin material will not withstand the planned operational load and the system or structure will very soon require major repairs or complete replacement of both individual elements and the entire pipe complex

In addition, accurate weight data helps determine the strength of the structure being built and allows you to find out what level of operational load it can withstand in the future.

Also, information on the weight parameters is necessary to select a vehicle capable of delivering material to the object of repair or construction and to determine the amount of labor and construction equipment necessary for loading / unloading and subsequent installation of elements in the general system.

Determination of weight of a pipe of circular section

How much a piece of pipe material with a circular cross section weighs is determined on the basis of the external diameter of the product, wall thickness, specific gravity of the material and the total length of the segment in running meters.

The calculation algorithm is described by the formula:

M = π * Ro * s * (D - s) * L

Alphabetic characters indicate the following parameters:

  • M is the desired mass of the studied pipe;
  • Πи - constant value equal to 3.14, relevant for calculating the area of ​​a circle;
  • Ro is the specific gravity of the material from which the product is made (for metals it is indicated as the density in kilograms per cubic meter);
  • S is the wall thickness of the pipe;
  • D is the size of the outer diameter of the circumference of the pipe;
  • L is the length of the product.

Having made all the necessary calculations and finding out how much one linear meter weighs, the obtained value is multiplied by the total number of purchased linear meters of pipe rolling.

Pipe material unloading
Knowing exactly the weight of plastic pipes is not that important.It is enough to see the total purchased volume to understand what kind of transport will be able to transport them. With rolled steel, the situation is more complicated. The material is initially very heavy and if you load the goods into the car without knowing its total weight, the car may simply not budge

In this way, data is obtained on the relative total weight of the products necessary for laying a communication system or constructing any structures.

How to calculate the mass of profile pipes?

All equations, algorithms and formulas presented above are relevant only for pipe rolling with a circular cross section. It is most common and wider than all other options used in industrial and domestic purposes.

However, there are situations when it becomes necessary to calculate the mass of products with an oval, rectangular, square, trapezoidal or some other non-standard type of section.

Overlays from profile pipes
Rectangular and square tubes are very often used for arranging floors and floors. The weight of the material in this case must exactly correspond to the parameters declared in the project and in no case should be less. Otherwise, the structure simply cannot withstand the operational load, loses its integrity and at some point sags or fails, thus making the structure completely unusable.

Calculation of the weight of tubular parts with a non-standard cross-section is carried out according to several simple formulas. The mass of a square pipe allows you to find the equation:

M = (Ro) * 0.0157 * s * (A * 2 - 2.86 * s) * L,

where alphanumeric characters mean the following:

  • Ro is the specific gravity (density) of the material;
  • 0,0157 - constant calculated value;
  • S is the wall thickness;
  • 2.86 is a constant value calculated based on the radius of rounding of the corners;
  • L is the pipe length indicated in linear meters.

For a rectangular pipe part, the following equation is relevant:

M = (Ro / 7850) * 0.0157 * s * (A + B - 2.86 * s) * L,

where, in addition to all the above data, the values ​​of A and B are taken into account, symbolizing the length of the sides. More information about the types of steel pipes with different cross sections can be found in this stuff.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Life hacks, useful tips and visual recommendations on how to quickly, simply and without unnecessary efforts measure the diameter of the required pipe. The methods are applicable to parts of any size made of various materials:

Rules for calculating the volume of pipes in cubic meters according to mathematical formulas. A detailed description of all the steps in a step-by-step mode:

Tips for home masters on how to correctly calculate the weight of one meter of pipe of round and profile section. Detailed recommendations for using thematic tables, formulas and online calculators:

Based on the above information, we can say that it is not so difficult to independently calculate the weight, volume, diameter, mass and cross-section of pipes from various materials.

Of course, the task requires attention, scrupulousness, accuracy and takes some time. But all efforts handsomely pay off in the very near future. The communication system, formed by the most accurate parameters, works absolutely clearly and provides an effective operational return.

If there are any doubts, and there is no one hundred percent confidence in the ability to independently conduct accurate calculations, it is appropriate to entrust this question to the designers. They will do everything quickly and provide the customer with a complete costing layout of all the required parameters.

We hope that the above material helped you with the calculations of pipes from various materials. If you still have questions, you can ask them in the box below, and we will try to quickly answer them.

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