Ple4Win 4.6.1 released

Ple4Win version 4.6.1 has been released. This version is a service release, implying a larger number of smaller modifications, improvements and bug fixes but no truly new functionality. Nevertheless, this is a new version, not a patch, as existing functionality has been enhanced on several occasions. For a detailed description of all that is new and changed, please see the change log.

The key improvements of this new release are:

• The WARNING table has been replaced by the NOTICES table.
• Element-based data representation has been improved in SingleGraph and MultiGraph.
• The soil model wizard now handles step changes in soil profile and/or pipe dimensions correctly.
• Speed improvements with selecting table data, copying to the clipboard, importing and exporting to Excel.
• With branches of tees it is now taken into account that part of the branch element is inside the run of the tee and therefore not subject to soil-related loads.
• Importing a single table from Excel now automatically selects the appropriate worksheet, if available.
• The program UI has been streamlined (keyboard shortcuts, better ‘jump to’ functionality, improved undo/redo functionality).
• The program responds better to user input, especially with longer lasting actions.
• Quite a lot of bugs have been fixed.

Tee branches and soil

Within Ple4Win, a tee consists of three elements, two run elements and one branch element. All three elements are connected at the central tee identifier. When taking the run and branch diameter into account, part of the branch element is located inside the run of the pipeline. The 3D visualisation actually draws tees this way (see left image below).

So far, effects of the soil around the branch of the tee were applied to the whole branch element. For most situations, this is a reasonable approximation. In special cases however, such as soil movement along the axis of the tee’s run the effects of the soil were too great. This has been improved, now only the part of the branch element outside of the run is considered when applying soil-induced loads.

WARNING table replaced by NOTICES table

Prior to this new Ple4Win version the WARNING table was used to report calculation errors, warnings and messages. Historically, the descriptions have been limited to 40 characters, sometimes leading to somewhat cryptic message texts.
As a first step towards longer and better formatted calculation messages, the WARNING table has been replaced by a new NOTICES table. The design and functionality of this new table are similar to those of the old table, however it is easier to read and it offers more flexibility for the future. Please note that the notices themselves have not yet been changed, but the groundwork has been laid for changes in the next version(s) of the program.

Element-based data representation

Element-based data is handled differently from node-based data starting with this version of Ple4Win. Both the way the data is drawn has changed and separate axes for nodes and elements have been introduced.
With some element-based data it is important to emphasize that the data does not change over the length of the element, such as diameter or wall thickness data. This data is now drawn as a constant value over the length of the element. With other element-based data continuous drawing is more important to correctly evaluate trends etc., this data is drawn using straight lines between element midpoint data points.

Courses for Ple4Win users

The performance, accuracy and speed of a project calculated using Ple4Win depends for not a small part on how the project is modeled. More often than not, a good pipeline model has greater benefits than e.g. a faster computer and may prevent lots of calculations on model variations. We are providing for a course on the art of making a good functional pipeline model. This half-day course is primarily intended for experienced users.

For more detailed information, call +31 (0)70 390 2386 or mail to info@eds-ple.nl.

We also offer courses for inexperienced users and dedicated training for individuals or small groups, focused on specified wishes of the attendees and/or going into details of specific problems the attendees have encountered. The combination of a course together with a project to be calculated is also possible. Again, contact us for more information.

Ple4Win verification

Verification of the Ple4Win program (“Are the results correct?”) has always been an important factor during development of new versions. However, not much emphasis has been given to this aspect of the program when communicating with our users. Information about how and what we verify has been added here.

Ple4Win forum

For support or advice, please visit our forum. There you can also read the FAQs, tips & tricks, report your findings or tell us your views.