Quick Guide for using the PipeClass module in TritonMap
The guide describes the use of the Triton PipeClass module in TritonMap. The method is somewhat different from the more traditional Pipe Tracking function in Isis, however both methods are activated by the same sentinel key option and the user may choose to use either (or both) methods. The operation of the Isis Pipe Track module is described in the Isis Manual Volume 1 Chapter 9.13 Track Pipeline,
For any pipe tracking method to work the side scan data must be of reasonable quality and contain good navigation, it goes without saying that only exposed pipe can be tracked, however in the Pipe Class module the user can select the Buried Pipe option and indicate the position of the pipe if it is known. The PipeClass module also generates a data base file of the information which is readable in Microsoft Access.Using the PipeClass module
The first requirement is a side scan sonar mosaic file in .DDS_VIF format as generated by Isis/TritonMap. The resolution of the file should be as high as is practical, the smaller the pipe diameter, the higher the resolution of the mosaic. As a minimum the mosaic resolution needs to be one half of the pipe diameter, a more typical value would be one quarter of a pipe diameter. For a 36in pipeline then, the mosaic should have a resolution of around 0.25m.
It is worth noting that the size of the .DDS_VIF file increases as the square of the resolution, so a mosaic file with a resolution of 0.25m will 16 times the size of the same file at a resolution of 1m.
It is possible to run PipeClass on a single monitor system, but it is much more convenient if a second monitor is available to display the Detail View
It has been found that mosaics created with the Auto TVG function in Isis give better results.
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Start TritonMap and insert the pipeline mosaic file, (you should also create and save a project within a project folder):
Go to the View menu and turn on the Pipeline Freespan Toolbar:
Notice that the Pipeline Tool is now available, when you click the Icon:
A dialog box will open asking for the name of the Digit file that will contain the Pipe Line tracking information:
Name the layer and click Open
Tracking the Pipeline
The first task is to track the pipeline. Return to the main TritonMap window and pan to the start of the section of pipe to be tracked, to initialize the auto tracking function left click once at the very start of the section then again a short distance along the pipe in the required tracking direction, then double click to start tracking:
In the lower right corner of the main window a progress bar with Tracking Pipeline... is displayed and in the main window will show the tracked points along the pipeline.
When the tracking stops for any reason a Zoomed "Detail View" window opens.
There are some adjustable tracking settings Pipe Search Area that may help the auto tracking functions in areas where the pipe changes direction rapidly, in most cases the default values seem to work well.
If the loss of tracking is due to the pipe going into burial, or partial burial then at this point you could click the appropriate button and continue manually digitizing the pipe:
Otherwise simply "help" the tracking over that section, double clicking once again to start auto tracking. If this is the end of the section that you are working on then proceed with the next task:
Detection of Freespans on a Tracked Pipe
In the Detail View, Pipe Line Parameters box, right click Diameter and enter the pipeline diameter in inches:
Use the Pan (Hand) function to scroll to a suitable area of pipe where the pipe shadow becomes detached from the pipeline, indicating a freespan. Now select the Free Span Detection tab and click the Detection Distance button, a white line perpendicular to the pipe will be displayed, choose a suitable distance from the pipe that will indicate a freespan:
The choice of this distance is critical, if the distance is too small then many very short, low freespans will be detected, if the distance chosen is too large then too few, or only very high freespans will be detected.
A good starting point seems to be about 1.6 - 1.7 pipe diameters, or around 1.7m for a 36inch pipeline.
Click the Detect Freespans on Tracked Pipe Button:
Minimum and maximum freespan lengths may also be chosen
If the "Running Man" button is grayed out, click the pipe in the Detail View window to re-select it, the pipe will change to a Magenta color:
Click the Running Man to start the auto detection sequence, in the main window detected freespans will be drawn in yellow with a number, the number incrementing with each detected span, when the process has completed (you can also click the STOP button) return to the Zoom window and click on the results tab:
You may enter a minimum freespan length, turn on the Sorting option to eliminate unwanted spans. Clicking on a particular item in the list will cause the Detail Window to jump to that item.
Once all the tracking parameters have been setup correctly it should be possible to combine both the pipeline tracking and freespan detection into one operation using the combined Tracking and Freespan detection button.
Exporting the Results
The overall results may be viewed in TritonMap as a Vector layer or Exported to a .DXF file:
Also, in the working folder for the project will be found the database file, this is an .MDB file that will open in Microsoft Access and may be used as another method of exporting the information:
