Automatic depth of cover calculations

If you have correctly configured your system, then the Pipelines software automatically calculates the depth of cover on the pipelines when you store a point. If the depth of cover calculated for the point does not meet the minimum cover requirement defined in the Pipeline options screen, a warning appears.

The assumption the Pipelines software makes to determine if cover should be computed, is based on whether it believes you are taking a measurement on a pipe – and it determines this based on whether the code selected has an attribute for a weld ID or joint ID.

To correctly configure the system to automatically compute depth of cover for points measured on a weld, bend, valve, tee, or any pipeline feature, do the following:

  1. Configure the Compute cover settings in the Pipelines options screen so that the software computes the cover using your preferred method. See Compute cover settings.
  2. Create feature codes in the FXL file for each measurement type (for example, weld, bend, valve) and make sure that each feature code has an attribute to record the joint ID or weld ID.
  3. For each feature code that has an attribute to record the joint ID or weld ID, use the Select attributes to link screen in the Pipelines software to link the attribute to the joint ID or weld ID information from the tally file. See To link weld and joint details to pipeline points.

To override the job compute cover settings for the current as-built pipeline point, change the details in the Compute pipe cover screen. If you:

  • Know the name of another point you want to use, then enter it in the Ground point name field.
  • Know the ground elevation, you can enter it in the Ground elevation field.
  • Have computed the cover by other means, then you can enter the cover in the Depth of cover field.
  • Have set the Compute pipe cover method to Use ground point and the default setting to:
    • Last point in job and you want to select the point closest to the point you just measured, then tap Closest.
    • Closest point and you want to select the last point you measured in the job, then tap Last.
  • Have set the Compute pipe cover method to Use ground point, tap Options to:
    • Change the default ground point option.
    • Enter or change the code that a point must have for it to be used as a ground point.

If you have set the Compute pipe cover method to Use surface model or Use pipe alignment and you have selected a point to define the ground elevation but you wish to return to the elevation derived from the surface model or alignment, tap next to the Ground elevation field and select the appropriate option. To change the Compute pipe cover settings for the job, see To configure Pipeline options.