How to Calculate Steam Pipe Volume

While the volume of a steam pipe may not equal its capacity under pressure, steam pipe volume is calculated in much the same way as any other volume: measure the physical dimensions needed for the calculation, then use those dimensions in the appropriate mathemtaical formula. A steam pipe is cylindrical, so the appropriate formula for volume is represented by pi x radius of the end of the pipe (squared) x the length of the pipe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Calculator

1. Measure the inside diameter of the steam pipe. Divide this measurement by 2 to get the radius.

2. Multiply the radius by itself (square the radius), then multiply the result by 3.14159 (pi). This is the area of the end of the pipe (the area of the pipe's "bore").

3. Measure the length of the steam pipe. Multiply the length of the pipe by the area of the pipe's bore. The result is the volume of the steam pipe.

References

• "Basic Math & Pre-Algebra for Dummies"; Mark Zegarelli; For Dummies, 2007; p. 240 ff
• "Basic Math and Pre-Algebra"; REA Staff; Research and Education Association, 2003; p. 272 ff

Resources

• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pre-Algebra