Piping Course for Mechanical Engineer

Lesson 1 • Pipe Materials and Properties

Examines metallic and non-metallic pipe materials and their mechanical properties. Material selection criteria are linked to service conditions.

Lesson 2 • Fittings, Flanges, and Valves Overview

Surveys the primary components that connect, redirect, and control flow in piping systems. Provides component recognition skills needed for design and layout work.

Lesson 3 • Pipe Dimensions and Standards

Introduces nominal pipe size, schedule, and wall thickness conventions. Students apply dimensional standards to select correct pipe for a given service.

Lesson 4 • Piping System Classification

Defines process, utility, and instrument piping classes and their design requirements. Classification drives material, testing, and documentation decisions.

Lesson 1 • Inspection, Testing, and Documentation

Covers code-mandated examination categories, pressure testing methods, and record-keeping. Students understand what documentation is required to certify a piping system.

Lesson 2 • Piping Specification Development

Guides creation of a piping material class specification aligned with code requirements. Specifications control material selection across an entire project.

Lesson 3 • Pressure-Temperature Ratings

Explains how pressure-temperature (P-T) ratings are established for flanges and fittings. Students select components that satisfy code P-T requirements.

Lesson 4 • Overview of Piping Code Frameworks

Introduces the major international code families governing pressure piping design. Students understand the hierarchy from code to standard to project specification.

Lesson 1 • Pipe Wall Thickness Design

Applies code hoop-stress equations to calculate minimum required wall thickness. Students add corrosion allowance and mill tolerance to arrive at a specified schedule.

Lesson 2 • Hydraulic and Line Sizing Summary

Integrates flow, pressure drop, and wall thickness results into a complete line sizing worksheet. Students produce a documented sizing basis for a multi-line system.

Lesson 3 • Fluid Flow Fundamentals

Reviews continuity, Bernoulli, and momentum equations as applied to pipe flow. These principles underpin all hydraulic sizing calculations in the chapter.

Lesson 4 • Branch and Reinforcement Calculations

Covers area-replacement and pressure-area methods for branch connections. Students verify that branch openings meet code reinforcement requirements.

Lesson 1 • Control and Safety Systems on P&IDs

Explains how control loops, safety instrumented systems, and relief devices are shown. Students correctly represent safety-critical functions on a P&ID.

Lesson 2 • P&ID Symbols and Notation

Introduces standardized symbols for equipment, instruments, and piping on P&IDs. Symbol literacy is the entry point for all P&ID work.

Lesson 3 • Line List and Equipment Data Extraction

Demonstrates how to extract line list and equipment data directly from a P&ID. Accurate data extraction feeds piping specifications and stress analysis.

Lesson 4 • P&ID Development Process

Covers the staged development of P&IDs from process flow diagrams through final issue. Students understand deliverable stages and review gates.

Lesson 1 • Nozzle Orientation and Equipment Connections

Addresses nozzle load limits, preferred orientations, and connection flexibility. Proper nozzle connections prevent equipment damage from pipe loads.

Lesson 2 • Piping Layout Review and Clash Detection

Introduces model review techniques and clash detection workflows in 3D environments. Students identify and resolve routing conflicts before construction.

Lesson 3 • Piping Arrangement Drawings

Covers plan, elevation, and isometric views used to communicate pipe routing. Students interpret and produce arrangement drawings from a P&ID.

Lesson 4 • Plant Layout Fundamentals

Introduces plot plan, equipment arrangement, and pipe rack concepts. Layout decisions directly affect pipe routing efficiency and capital cost.

Lesson 1 • Loads Acting on Piping Systems

Categorizes sustained, occasional, and displacement loads that act on piping. Understanding load types is prerequisite to selecting the correct code stress equation.

Lesson 2 • Code Stress Equations and Allowables

Applies code sustained, occasional, and expansion stress equations to pipe segments. Students verify compliance with each stress category limit.

Lesson 3 • Computer-Aided Stress Analysis

Introduces pipe stress software modeling, input parameters, and output interpretation. Students build a simple model and evaluate code compliance reports.

Lesson 4 • Thermal Expansion and Flexibility

Covers thermal growth calculation and flexibility design using loops and offsets. Students size expansion loops to keep stresses within code allowables.

Lesson 1 • Pressure Testing and Commissioning

Covers hydrostatic and pneumatic test procedures, flushing, and pre-commissioning steps. Students prepare a test package and verify system readiness.

Lesson 2 • Welding Processes and Procedures

Introduces welding processes used in piping and the qualification of procedures and welders. Code-compliant welding is mandatory for pressure piping.

Lesson 3 • Non-Destructive Examination of Welds

Covers NDE methods applied to piping welds and their code-required acceptance criteria. Students specify NDE scope based on fluid service and material.

Lesson 4 • Field Construction and Erection

Addresses pipe erection sequences, temporary supports, and field joint completion. Proper erection practice prevents stress and alignment problems.

Lesson 1 • Piping Design Package Deliverables

Defines the full set of engineering deliverables required to complete a piping design package. Students assemble and cross-check all documents for internal consistency.

Lesson 2 • Multiphase and Slurry Piping

Addresses erosion, slug flow, and settling velocity in multiphase and slurry systems. Students select materials and velocities to manage erosion and blockage risk.

Lesson 3 • Cryogenic and Low-Temperature Piping

Covers material toughness requirements, cold insulation, and thermal contraction management. Students design a cryogenic line meeting impact test and flexibility requirements.

Lesson 4 • High-Pressure and High-Temperature Piping

Addresses design challenges unique to elevated pressure and temperature service. Students apply enhanced code requirements and material selection criteria.