LESSON 23

Parameterized Pipe
Pipe Intersection

Objectives:
Model a pipe pipe intersection.
Create a PCL Function from the resulting session file.

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Parameterized Pipe Pipe Intersection

LESSON 23

Model Description:
In this exercise you will model a cylinder (pipe) of one radius
intersecting a cylinder of a different radius. The resulting
session file will be used to create a PCL function which will
allow you to vary the two radii to solve a set of modeling
problems.
Shown below is the resulting pipe intersection model.

Suggested Exercise Steps:

Start PATRAN.
Open a database (pipe.db).

Define two real variables, rad_1 and rad_2.

Model a pipe pipe intersection using those two variables.

Exit PATRAN and edit the session file to make a PCL
function.
Change the values of the variables rad_1 and rad_2 and
execute the function to verify that it works.
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Model the Pipe Pipe Intersection

Files:
All the files used in this exercise are listed below. Each listing includes
the file, where it originated, its format (text/binary) and summary
information as to how it relates to this exercise.
File

Supplied/Create

pipe.db

patran.ses

Created

Created

pipe.pcl

Created

Description
This is a P3/PATRAN database (binary) that is
created in this exercise. The geometry for the
model is created in this exercise using
parametric variables rad_1 and rad_2.
This is a session file (text) that is created when
the pipe.db is made. This file contains the basic
instructions for making the pipe-pipe
intersection. This file will be copied to pipe.pcl
and modified.
This file is a modified version of the patran.ses
file (above). Additional logic is added to check
for one pipe being larger than the other.

Exercise Procedure:
In your xterm window type p3 to start P3/PATRAN.
After that, create a new database named pipe.db.

1.

Model the
Pipe Pipe
Intersection

File/New ...
pipe

New Database Name:

OK
l
In the New Model Preference from set the following:
Tolerance:

Based on Model

Analysis Code:

MSC/NASTRAN

Analysis Type:

Structural

OK
Enter the following in the command line:
REAL rad_1 = 1., rad_2 = .5

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LESSON 23

Click on Geometry in the Main Window, and then perform

the following:

Geometry
Action:

Create

Object:

Point

Method:

XYZ

Point Coordinates List

[rad_1 0 0]

Apply
A point should show up on the screen.
2.

Secondly, create Curve 1 as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Create

Object:

Curve

Method:

Revolve

Axis

{[0 0 0][0 0 1]}

Total Angle

90.0

Point List

Point 1

Apply

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Model the Pipe Pipe Intersection

Curve 1 should appear as follows:

Y
Z

3.

Thirdly, create a surface as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Create

Object:

Surface

Method:

Extrude

Translation Vector

<0 0 2. * rad_1>

Curve List

Curve 1

Use the Iso 1 View icon to change the model to an

isometric display.

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LESSON 23

Surface 1 should appear as follows:

4.

Now perform the following to create Point 5:

Geometry
Action:

Create

Object:

Point

Method:

XYZ

Point Coordinates List

[0 0 rad_2]

Apply
5.

Fifthly, create Curve 2 as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Create

Object:

Curve

Method:

Revolve

Axis

{[0 0 0][1 0 0]}

Total Angle

-90.0

Point List

Point 5

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Model the Pipe Pipe Intersection

Your model should appear as shown below.

6.

Next, create another surface as follows:

Geometry

23-8

Action:

Create

Object:

Surface

Method:

Extrude

Translation Vector

<2. * rad_1 0 0>

Curve List

Curve 2

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LESSON 23

Two surfaces should appear in your viewport as follows:

Surface 1
1

Surface 2
2

1
2

7.

Break up Surface 2 into two pieces at the intersection of

Surface 1 and Surface 2:

Geometry
Action:

Edit

Object:

Surface

Method:

Break

Option:

Surface

Surface List

Surface 2

Break Surface List

Surface 1

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Break the Edge

Answer Yes to the prompt to delete the original surface. Your model
should look like the following:

Surface 3.1

1
3
4
Y

8.

Break the
Edge

Now create Curve 3 and 4 by breaking Surface 3.1 as

follows:

Geometry
Action:

Edit

Object:

Curve

Method:

Break

Option:

Parametric

u Parametric Value

0.5

Delete Original Curves

Curve List

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Parameterized Pipe Pipe Intersection

LESSON 23

Your model should appear as follows:

Surface 1.3
Curve 3

Surface 1.2

Curve 4
Z

9.

Next, create more surfaces as follows (use the above

picture for reference).:

Geometry
Action:

Create

Object:

Surface

Method:

Curve

Option:

2 Curve

Manifold
Autoexecute
Manifold Surface

Surface 1

Start Curve List

Curve 3 4

Ending Curve List

Surface 1.3 1.2

Apply

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Break the Edge

The following should appear in your viewport.

Surface 1
Curve 1

Curve 2
Y

10.

Surface 3

Delete some of the unnecessary entities as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Delete

Object:

Any

Geometric Entity List

Surface 1 3 Curve 1 2

Apply
Your model should appear as follows:

Point 11

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Surface 4

Parameterized Pipe Pipe Intersection

LESSON 23

11.

Break up Surface 4 at Point 11 as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Edit

Object:

Surface

Method:

Break

Option:

Break the
Surface

Point

Delete Original Surfaces

Surface List

Surface 4

Break Point List

Point 11

Apply
Respond Yes to the prompt to delete Surface 4. The
following should appear in your viewport.

7
6
8

12.

Lastly, transform your model as follows:

First, mirror the surfaces in the z-direction as follows:

Mirror the
surfaces

Geometry
Action:

Transform

Object:

Surface
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Mirror the surfaces

Method:

Mirror

Define Mirror Plane Normal

{[0 0 0][0 0 1]}

Offset Parameters

0.0

Surface List

Surface 5:8
(Select all surfaces on
screen)

Apply
Your model should appear as follows:

Second, mirror the model in the x-direction as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Transform

Object:

Surface

Method:

Mirror

Define Mirror Plane Normal

{[0 0 0][1 0 0]}

Offset Parameters

0.0

Surface List

Surface 5:12
(Select all surfaces on
screen)

Apply
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LESSON 23

The following should appear in your viewport

Finally, mirror the model in y-direction as follows:

Geometry
Action:

Transform

Object:

Surface

Method:

Mirror

Define Mirror Plane Normal

{[0 0 0][0 1 0]}

Offset Parameters

0.0

Surface List

Surface 5:20
(Select all surfaces on
screen)

Apply

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Create a PCL Function from the session file

Your model should appear as shown below.

13.

Create a PCL
Function
from the
session file

Exit PATRAN. Copy the latest version of the patran

session file (patran.ses.*) to pipe.pcl as follows:
cp patran.ses.* pipe.pcl

Edit the file by deleting all the lines before the lines
shown below (but not including):

STRING asm_create_grid_xyz_created_ids[VIRTUAL]
asm_const_grid_xyz( "1", "[rad_1 0 0]", "Coord 0", @
asm_create_grid_xyz_created_ids )
.
.
.
14.

Remove the following lines from the end of the file:

uil_file_close.goquit( )
$# Journal file stopped recording at 21-Mar-95 17:10:52
$# P3/PATRAN 1.3-2 has released 68 license(s) to NetLS at 21-Mar-95 17:10:55.
$# Session file patran.ses.08 stopped recording at 21-Mar-95 17:10:55

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LESSON 23

15.

Add the following lines to the beginning of the file:

FUNCTION pipe()
GLOBAL REAL rad_1, rad_2
REAL temp
IF( rad_2 > rad_1 ) THEN
temp = rad_1
rad_1 = rad_2
rad_2 = temp
END IF
ui_override_message( 38000219, "YES" )

16.

At the end of the file add the line:

END FUNCTION

17.

To debug and verify the pipe pcl function, start PATRAN

and open a new database (test.db). After that, type in the
command shown below:
!!input pipe.pcl

At this point, the following lines appear in the command window:

$# Compiling: pipe
$# (PCL) Duplicate name defined: ASM_CREATE_GRID_XYZ_CREATED_IDS
$# File:pipe.pcl, Line 25
$# Line is "string asm_create_grid_xyz_created_ids[virtual]"
$# Compilation aborted
When PATRAN tried to compile our pipe function, it encountered a
problem. Notice that PATRAN tells us that it is on line 25, which is
"string asm_create ..." The compiler has found a line where the
previous session file re-defined a variable which had already been
defined. When a surface is first extruded from a curve, PATRAN
somehow "forgets" if it has already defined a variable needed when
points are first created. Thus, it re-defines the variable. This is
particularly bad when the session file is compiled, since the function
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Create a PCL Function from the session file

cannot define the variable twice. To remedy the situation, simply

delete the second line in which the variable is defined. (remove line
25 of the file pipe.pcl)
Once again, start a test database and type in the command window:
!!input pipe.pcl
and
REAL rad_1=3,rad_2=4
and finally
pipe()
in the command line. The model should be rebuilt with the new
values as shown below.

Close the database to complete this exercise.

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