Ple4Win Glossary

Term

Description

Active data row

The horizontal line of data of a table in which the data can be edited. Indicated by a -row cursor.

Additional output tables

The additional output data tables are filled with detailed deformation and stress data concerning a mid-section of an element. Through these additional output data tables, detailed information on the behaviour of a cross-section can be obtained, such as iteration information (Design Function 5) or details of the last element calculated (Design Function 6.2).

Alpha program version

An alpha- or α-version of a program should be usable, however, it may not be complete. Some non-essential parts are still missing. Expect bugs, omissions and/or inconsistencies to occur. All major ones are known to the developers. Still, we would appreciate it if you would tell us about what you found, what happened and what you did to make it happen.

See the contact page on how to reach us.

Automatic processing

If in a design function the "Calculate & Lock"-icon and text are greyed out and/or the function status icon in the Roadmap shows or , that function is automatically checked and locked if the user processes the subsequent design function.

AX-L coordinate

Length along the pipeline-axis.

AX-LP coordinate

Length along the projection of the pipeline polygon lines onto the global X-Y plane.

Beta program version

A beta- or β-version of a program should be complete and should run stable, however, it has not yet been tested in detail. Therefore, bugs, omissions and/or inconsistencies may occur. Should you encounter any of those, we would appreciate it if you would tell us about what happened and what you did to make it happen.

See the contact page on how to reach us.

Boring

A trenchless method of installing pipelines where a tunnel or bore path is created underground to avoid surface disruption.

Design function

One logical step in the sequence of building, calculating and reporting a pipeline project.

Educational version

A freely available version of Ple4Win, with somewhat limited functionality: Only up to 50 elements are allowed, printing & exporting are disabled and material non-linear calculations & non-general analyses are unavailable.

Flocal coordinate system

See coordinate system.

Global coordinate system

Global right-handed orthogonal coordinate system.

Hardware key

A small USB device that is needed to run the professional version of the program. This "dongle" also determines which program modules can be used and administrates rental periods, pay-by-use and more.

HDD

Horizontal Directional Drilling is a trenchless method used to install pipelines and other utilities underground by drilling a bore from one point to another, then pulling the pipe through.

Joint

Pipeline joint is a connection (element) between two pipeline segments which allows a certain amount of bending, rotation and/or sliding.

Local coordinate system

Local right-handed orthogonal coordinate system.

Locked design function

Once a design function has been checked and processed successfully, its data is locked, i.e. it cannot be changed until it is set back (unlocked).

Any design function can only be processed if all preceding functions have been locked.

Non-trench method

See trenchless method.

Occurrence

The number of times an input data table has been successfully tested, or a design function has been successfully tested. Output tables that have been modified or filled are given the occurrence number of the design function after its successful completion.

Offshore pipeline

(Also called submarine pipeline or subsea pipeline) is a pipeline that is laid on the seabed or buried beneath the seabed using specialised installation methods, including trenching or trenchless techniques (e.g., horizontal directional drilling).

Onland pipeline

(Also called onshore pipeline or inland pipeline) is a pipeline that is installed on or beneath the ground surface of the land. The pipeline can be buried inside a trench or installed using non-trench (trenchless) method.

Orthogonal graph

An orthogonal graph, also known as a Cartesian graph, uses a Cartesian coordinate system to represent data on two perpendicular axes: the X-axis (horizontal) and the Y-axis (vertical).

In this system:

•X-axis represents the horizontal position of a point.

•Y-axis represents the vertical position of a point.

Each point on the graph is defined by an ordered pair of coordinates (x,y), where x indicates the horizontal distance from the origin (0,0), and y indicates the vertical distance. The origin is the intersection of the X and Y axes.

Overview panel

One of the panels of the main program window. A list of all tables belonging to the selected design function is shown in this window.

Panel

A "window" inside the main program window. Most panels can be detached from the main window and then "float" in front of it.

Parent database

A project database that is used to define the pre-deformation of a pipeline in another project. It has to be fully calculated. For more information, see Project Phase or Alternating Yield Load Case.

PLE 3

The predecessor of Ple4Win, DOS-based with a graphical user interface.

Polar graph

A type of graph used to represent data in a circular layout, where each point is determined by an angle and a distance from a central point (the origin).

In a polar coordinate system, each point is defined by:

•Radius (r): The distance from the origin (centre of the graph) to the point.

•Angle (θ): The angle between a fixed direction (usually the positive X-axis) and the line connecting the origin to the point.

The angle is typically measured in degrees or radians, and the radius represents the distance from the centre.

Professional version

The full version of Ple4Win, allowing 29,999 elements, printing and more. The exact functionality is determined by the program modules in combination with the program itself.

Program module

A logical block of the main program. Used to tailor the program to the user's needs. See the modules listing for more information.

Project database

A *.plex file used by Ple4Win to store all project-specific data of a pipeline. When opening a project, a backup is kept in a *.pleb file.

Restart

Restarting a specific Design Function. See Unlock a design function.

Roadmap

One of the panels of the main program window. The design functions and their status are shown in this window.

Secondary database

An already existing project database which can be used to copy data from, compare data with etc.

Set-back a design function

A locked design function can be set-back (re-enabled) to allow subsequent changes to its data.

However, all data in the output tables is cleared.

Any design function following the set-back function is set-back as well!

Short name

The up to 8 characters long abbreviated name of a data table or column within a data table. Short names are considered to be easier in the communication between users.

Testing of a table

Before calculations can be started in a design function, all non-empty data tables belonging to that function must be tested. During this process the data of the table is checked for omissions, out-of-range values and more. Only the data of the table to be tested is considered, so. e.g. undefined tables will not be detected during this step.

All data must be tested prior to calculations, even if it is not used.

Trench method

A non-trenchless open excavation installation technique/method. This method is a straightforward and reliable technique for laying pipelines, particularly for onland pipelines. It involves digging a trench, laying the pipeline, and then backfilling the trench.

Trenchless method

A non-trench or no-dig installation technique/method without the need for continuous open trench excavation (i.e. Boring/Jacking or HDD). This approach minimises surface disruption, making it suitable for various environments and projects where traditional excavation is impractical or undesirable.

Toggle a table

Toggling is the possibility to switch some input data tables between different layouts. This allows the user to choose the most convenient way to define at which point of the pipeline the data is to be applied.

Tooltip

A small window appearing (and disappearing) automatically if the cursor hovers over a specific part of the screen.

Unavailable table

A data table that cannot be used in the available version of the program. This is either because of the limited functionality of the educational version of the program or because the necessary program module is not available.

Unlock a design function

Similar to setting back a locked design function. It allows subsequent changes to its data.

Unlocking, however, leaves the data in the output tables unchanged (does not clear it).

Any Design Function following the unlocked function is set back!

Only available for specific functions.

Weak element

An elements or polygon part without axial and flexural stiffness necessary to connect otherwise independent pipeline segments or to specify branched connections.

Workspace

One of the panels of the main program window. All data tables, graphs and drawings are shown in this window.