Scale factor is the ratio of the distance between two points on a map to the actual distance between those same two points on the ground. It is important to account for scale factor when routing pipelines as it can vary depending on location, map projection, terrain, and other factors. To calculate scale factor, the central meridian, standard parallels, latitudes in radians, and map scale must be determined. Applying the correct scale factor ensures accurate routing of pipelines across different areas and terrains by minimizing distortion between map distances and true distances.

1. SCALE FACTORS IN
PIPELINE ENGINEERING
DESIGN
Presented by
Y.Muthuraman
M.Tech PLE(R150214029)

2. What is Scale factor ?
 Scale Factor(SF) =
𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐄(𝐀𝐒)
𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐄(𝐏𝐒)
SF-Scale factor
AS-Distance between the two points on Map
PS-Distance between the two points in the Earth

3. Cartographers
Why we need Scale factor ?

4. Scale Factor in Pipelines
 Scale factor differs from one location to another.
 We need to cover the entire ROUTE OF
PIPELINE (From Source Station to Transmission
Station) by calculating the Scale Factor which
varies with respect to Map Projection terrain or
plane or valley or any location.

5. Distortion and Scale factor
• Longitudes starts from 0 degree meridian line,
all the longitudes forming same diameter
circles on the earth.
• Latitudes starts from 0 degree Equator line,
all the latitudes forming the circles, whose
diameter goes on decreases, towards North &
South pole.

6. Distortion and Scale factor
Earth has different Circumference(2πr)
Distortion
Scale factor differs for every latitude
•

7. Map Projection
• A plane is placed tangent to the Earth’s
Surface
• The points are projected from the centre of the
earth to the plane gives us the parallel
lines(lattitude).
• Earth looks from centre point of view and
projected on to the plane and creates the image
on chart/map.

8. CYLINDRICAL/mercator
PROJECTION
 Cylinder placed around the equator and
makes tangent plane.
 Plane contains parallel lines(line at which
cylinder is tangent to equator) and
projections of meridians, both maintains the
same diameter in all the circles of latitude
 No distortion in circumference of Earth’s
Surface

10. Lambert Conformal Projection
• Best method for mapping the pipelines mostly
preserving the
• Maxi. Scale Error of 2.5%
Shape of the features
Directions of the Route
Distances between two points
Areas to be located

12. Requirements for Scale Factor
Pipelines having different scenario
Elevation, Compresssor station, buried pipeline , subsea
pipeline , forest, roads , streams
1. Positioning of respective elevation
2. Datum point ,
3. Latitude coordinate,
4. Longitude coordinate ,
5. Eccentricity from parallel lines

13. Steps to calculate the Scale factor
for Routing the pipeline
• Set the Central Meridian in your source station of pipeline.
(Eg. Pipeline layed from 12degree WEST to 36 degree
EAST)
• Set the standard Parallel lines within the site starts from
central meridian with the spacing of latitudes 6 degree
interval.
(Eg. 12W – 36E have the range of 24 degree)
So, each latitude spacing = 24/6 = 4 degree of latitude

14. Steps to calculate the Scale factor
for Routing the pipeline
• Convert the latitude degree into Radians for
calculating the scale factor(k).
• k = ( sqrt(1.0 - e2*sin(lat)*sin(lat))/cos(lat) ) * (
cos(lat1)/sqrt(1.0 - e2*sin(lat1)*sin(lat1)) )
e2 = eccentricity
lat = latitude of point
lat1 = standard parallel

15. Map Scale & True Scale for Routing
of Pipeline
• Multiply the Scale factor with Map Scale and
get the True Scale value of the real world
• Scale Factor Distortion is minimized by
getting scale factor from Lambert Conformal
Map Projection

16. X,Y values from
Map projection
Central meridian
value
Height and width
of routing area
By typing the Scale Factor we can change
the Scale ratio of :

17. Scale factor for different Areas

18. Conclusion
• Hence the scale factor depends on the type of map
projection for different areas, which are going to
be considered for routing the pipelines.
• Area may be having Elevation , Roads, Stream,
Subsea, Terrain, Forest , Protected Areas, Valley ,
Rivers.
• Scale factor varies and also scale distortion is
reduced.