Measure Profile/contour of a pipe

[flummoxed2002]

Does anyone know of a method or tool that can measure the circumferential profile/contour of a deformed pipe? This "device" would have to be capable of measuring a pipe as large as 26" OD in an outside enviroment. The data obtained from this device would be used to plot out the shape and complete an FEA.

Any ideas?

A simple idea is to fabricate a ring that would be wedged into place around a pipe. The gap between the ring and pipe would be measured to obtain a profile. The only issue with this idea is that it will not accurately capture and sharp deformations. Are there laser gauges that could do something similar?

 

[Compositepro]

Search for 3-D scanners or digitizers. There are laser and optical ones. I just saw an interesting design that consisted of a small base unit that dispensed a tensioned string that was attached to the tip of a stylus. Touch the stylus to a surface and click a button, and the location of the point is calculated from the length of string and the angle it makes from the base unit.

 

[zekeman]

Depends on the amount of runout from the round and the accuracy you need

 

[SJones]

http://www.optical-metrology-services.com/

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.oilandgaspeople.com/cv/11499664

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

 

[dvd]

The question begging to be asked is why are you measuring a deformed pipe and trying to perform FEA on the results? How are you going to determine the state of stress in the deformed material? If you are going to assume the state of stress in the pipe, why not assume the shape also.