3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

3DReshaper Beginner's
Guide

Tank

Page 1 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

1 Introduction
The Tank module is dedicated to tank analysis. It is aimed to above ground tanks, with vertical cylinder
design, single shell, with or without roof.

This module brings a full workflow designed to follow main requests from API 653. Nevertheless, it provides
generic tools (3D inspection, color maps, sections, etc.) so that it can be versatile enough and enable the
inspection using different standards or considering other types of tanks (horizontal cylindrical shapes for
example).

This module can be added to the standard configuration of 3DReshaper.

The following pages will guide you through the workflow for a complete analysis of a tank. Note that you
always need to create a mesh of the tank before being able to use the tools from the Tank Module. You can
use the tools from the Base license to clean the scans and create an accurate mesh.

The tank used in these exercises results from an inside scan of a tank. This module can obviously also be
used on tanks scanned only from the outside.

Define the project

Start the project
Compute the best cylinder
Separate the shell
3D Inspection
Compute the inspection
Unroll the color map
2D Inspection
Roundness
Verticality
Settlements
Differential settlements
Localized settlements
Report
Create a PDF report
Export CSV Data

Page 2 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

2 Define the project

Exercise: Define the project and prepare the data for the inspections

Start the project

Compute the best cylinder
Separate the shell

2.1 Start the project

Open the file “TankInspection.rsh”.

This file contains the mesh of a tank. It will be used through all the following exercises.

Select the mesh Tank mesh and launch Tank \ Create / Edit project. First give a name to the project or take
the standard name Tank project.

You can then define a specific orientation point for the tank using the Entering point procedure.

Place it on the top of the manhole.

The elevation marker will automatically be on the lowest point. You can place it on the bottom of the mesh.

Both markers can be used as references in several functions from the Tank module.

Finally, enter the theoretical height of the tank: 11 m.

Click OK to create the project. A new folder has been created in the tree, containing several objects:

Tank Info: this element cannot be displayed in the 3D scene. It is a property sheet containing
definitions and results from the project.
Tank mesh: the initial mesh chosen for the project.
Tank Project Orientation Reference and Tank Project Elevation Reference: the two markers.

As the project is defined, all next computed results will automatically be inserted inside this same folder. On
top of this, you will not need to select your mesh again before using the next functions. As soon as a tank
project is defined, commands will automatically use the mesh of the tank as input. Nevertheless, if it always
possible to launch a command using a selected mesh or object like other commands in 3DReshaper.

Page 3 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Creation of a Tank project

2.2 Compute the best cylinder

Without selecting anything, click on Tank \ Best Cylinder. A cylinder best fitting the tank will be computed.

If the Automatic method does not give a result good enough, you could switch to the Manual method and
click several seed points for the extraction of the best cylinder.

It is possible to give in some constraints for this cylinder, if the nominal dimensions of the tank are known.
To force the diameter of the cylinder for example, check the option “Force diameter” and enter 22.3 m.

Compute a best cylinder on the tank

It could be possible to eliminate the worst points, if the mesh is not perfectly clean for example. Here we can
keep the computation with all points.

The color scale at the rights shows how well the Tank matches the computed cylinder.

Page 4 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

A small window on the left also gives some additional information on the computation.

In the created label, we have the coordinates of the main axis of the cylinder. We can see also, this function
gives us the plumbness value of the tank, as described in the API 653.

It is the distance between the tank axis and a vertical axis, at the theoretical height of the tank. The API 653
defines that plumbness shall not exceed 1% of the total tank height, with a maximum of 5 inches.

Definition of the plumbness (a) of a tank

The use of API 653 tolerance is not mandatory. If you want to enter another tolerance, uncheck
the corresponding checkbox and enter your new value.

Validate the result with OK. We now have a new folder Best Cylinder in the Tank Project. It contains the
best cylinder, the central axis of the cylinder and the label giving the plumbness value.

2.3 Separate the shell

For some inspections, it is useful to split the tank in several parts in order to consider only the shell or only
the bottom plate for example.

Show only the initial mesh and go to Tank \ Separate Shell. The computation is done automatically, it can
take a few seconds. We now have a new folder Separate shell containing two polylines representing the
top contour and the bottom contour of the tank, as well as the three separated parts of the tank (Shell, Top,
and Bottom).

Page 5 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

The tank is separated in 3 meshes: the shell, the top and the bottom
The project is now fully ready to start the complete analysis of the tank.

Page 6 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

3 3D Inspection
The tank can be compared in 3D to the best cylinder computed previously in order to detect potential
deformations on its surface. This inspection is usually relevant only on the shell of the tank.

Exercise: Run a 3D inspection on the tank shell

Compute the inspection

Unroll the color map

3.1 Compute the inspection

Show only the mesh called “Tank mesh Shell”. Select it and launch Tank\Create Color Map.

This command computes the deviations from the shell compared to the best cylinder. The deviations are
displayed thanks to colors applied on the mesh.

The only input parameter required is a distance used to remove too distant points from the computation. By
default this value is initialized with the distance of the worst point used to compute the best cylinder, so that
the result will be visually the same as the one that you had when computing the best cylinder.

Change this distance to 0.10 m in order to ignore the manhole and click Preview to replay the computation.
We now see better where could be some problematic areas on the shell.

The color scale shows the maximum and the minimum distances as well as the distribution of the deviations
between these two extreme values.

Page 7 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Compute the 3D deviations on the tank shell

Click on the "Label" button to create some labels on specific points on the shell. The labels give the 3D
coordinates of the measured point and of the reference point as well as the deviations in the three axis and
in 3D.

Create labels on specific points

Page 8 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Click on OK to validate the results. The colored mesh and the labels are created in a new folder “3D
Inspection”.

3.2 Unroll the color map

This colored mesh can now be unrolled to show a 2D inspection map of the shell.

Show only the mesh Compare Tank mesh Best Cylinder / Tank mesh Shell and launch Tank\Unroll.

The shell can be unrolled in 3D to keep the shape of the bumps and hollows in the surface (from weld
seams for example), or unrolled in 2D to simply get a flat color map. Choose the option 2D Inspection map.

The shell will be unrolled along its center axis, using a fixed radius. The command automatically takes the
center axis and the radius of the best cylinder computed previously.

The shell will be cut in its height, where the Orientation Marker has been defined during the project creation.

Parameters of the best cylinder are used to unroll the shell of the tank

Check the options to display a 2D grid over the result and show the main graduation marks. Set rows every
5 m and columns every 45°. Choose 5 subdivisions for the rows and 3 subdivisions for the columns.

Click on Preview to compute the result.

The value of the column can be given as an angle or as a curvilinear distance around the tank.

Page 9 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Unrolled inspection map of the tank shell

After validating with OK, a folder “Unroll” is added to the tree, containing the unrolled shell and the 2D grid.
It is possible to show or hide the 2D grid, like any other object.

Page 10 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

4 2D Inspection
As we have seen above, the shell of the tank can be inspected fully in 3D. It is also possible to inspect it
with the help of horizontal or vertical sections, in order to check the roundness and the verticality of the tank.

Exercise: Check the roundness and the verticality of the tank thanks to profiles

Roundness
Verticality

4.1 Roundness
Show only the mesh “Tank mesh Shell”. Select it and launch the function Tank\Roundness.

The purpose is to compute sections on the shell as well as on the theoretical shape (the best cylinder) at
different heights, and to compare them.

First choose the direction of the sections. They can be created perpendicularly to the axis of the best
cylinder computed previously, or can be created perfectly horizontally. Choose the first option “
Perpendicular to the best cylinder axis”.

You can choose to use a tolerance for the radius according to API 653 or use your own tolerance. Here
keep the API tolerances.

Then define where to create the sections. You can create sections at a regular step all over the tank, or only
between given heights. You could also give a list of specific heights where to create sections, or choose the
option “Click point(s)” to visually click on the tank where a section is needed.

Choose the options “With a regular step” and “All over” and give a step of 1 m. Click on Preview to display
the resulting sections.

You can now manage the display of the sections to visualize them easily. In the “2D Preview Layout”
choose the option “In a grid” to display the sections in 2D in a grid. You can then zoom on one and pan the
scene to go from one to another.

You can also choose the option “Section by section” to visualize only one section at a time. You then have
other buttons in the dialog box to switch from one section to the next one.

Choose to show only the section at height 4 (4 m) and click on Edit Color. It is here possible to adapt the
color scale if needed, and also to magnify the deviations in order to see even the smallest ones. Set the
cursor on 32 for example.

Then click on OK to validate and come back to the previous command.

Page 11 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Magnify the deviations in order to see even the smallest ones

At any time it is possible to check the option “Show a 3D view” to visualize the sections in 3D on
the tank.

Display the section in 2D and in 3D on the tank

Page 12 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Click OK to validate the results. A new folder called “Roundness” is created in the tree. It contains all the
sections per height (on the tank, on the cylinder and the result of the comparison) and the corresponding
points on the center axis.

4.2 Verticality
A similar method can be used to check the verticality of the tank, by creating vertical sections on the tank.

Show only the mesh “Tank mesh Shell”. Select it and launch the function Tank\Verticality.

First choose the direction of the sections. They can be created parallel to the axis of the best cylinder
computed previously, or can be created perfectly vertically. Choose the second option “Parallel to Z axis
(vertical sections)”.

You can choose to use the tolerance defined by the API 653 or give in your own tolerances.

Then define where to create the sections. You can create sections at a regular step all around the tank, or
only between given angles. You could also give a list of specific angles where to create sections, or choose
the option “Click point(s)” to visually click on the tank where a section is needed.

Choose the options “Regular angle between sections” and “All over” and give a step of 10°. Click on
Preview to display the resulting sections.

The first section is done on the Orientation Marker defined when creating the project.

You can now manage the display of the sections to visualize them easily. In the “ 2D Preview Layout”
choose the option “In a grid” to display the sections in 2D in a grid. You can then zoom on one and pan the
scene to go from one to another.

You can also choose the option “Section by section” to visualize only one section at a time. You then have
other buttons in the dialog box to switch from one section to the next one.

Click on Edit Color to modify the color scale if needed. It is also possible to magnify the deviations in order
to see even the smallest ones. Set the cursor on 32 for example.

Then click on OK to validate and come back to the previous command.

Page 13 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Magnify the deviations on vertical sections

At any time it is possible to check the option “Show a 3D view” to visualize the sections in 3D on
the tank.

Click OK to validate the results. A new folder called “Verticality” is created in the tree. It contains all the
sections per angle (on the tank, on the cylinder and the result of the comparison).

Page 14 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

5 Settlements
We have seen previously how to inspect the shell of the tank. In the Tank Module, functions also let you
measure the settlement of the tank, using different methods.

Exercise: Measure different settlements on the tank

Differential settlements
Localized settlements

5.1 Differential settlements

In this exercise, we will see how to measure differential settlement from a polyline using the method
described by API 653. The polyline must represent the edge between the shell and the bottom plate of the
tank.

It is also possible to compute differential settlement using existing geometric points. This method is
used when measuring fix points on the outside surface of the tank. See the help files of the
command for more details.

Show only the “Tank mesh”. Find the polyline “Tank mesh Contour bottom” in the “Separate shell” folder
and launch Tank\Differential Settlements.

You can choose to use the tolerances defined in the API 653 by checking the very first option.

The Orientation Marker defined when creating the project is used by default as the start point. You can
define a new point if needed.

Then set how many points are needed to measure the settlement. The default number of points (8 here) is
the minimum number requested by the standard. Enter 50 for the number of points. The points are
automatically created on the polyline in the 3D preview and the computation is automatically done.

The results are displayed in the dialog box. A table is showing the results in each point:

Elevation: the elevation of the point,

Tilt plane elevation: the value in the best cosine curve at the index of the point,
Magnitude of the differential settlement (Ui): the difference between the elevation and the tilt plane
elevation of the point,
Deviation (Si): Si = Ui - (1/2Ui-1 + 1/2Ui+1)

It is possible to use the Elevation Marker defined at the creation of the project as the reference elevation by
checking the option “Use the elevation marker as zero elevation”. Check it.

Two points are removed from best cosine curve computation in order to improve the coefficient of
determination R².

Page 15 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

You can then click on the graph in the dialog box to enlarge it over the 3D scene and be able to display
information on each points when moving the mouse cursor on them.

Results from the differential settlement

Click OK to validate the results. A new folder called “Differential Settlements” is created in the tree. It
contains the 50 points used for the computation.

5.2 Localized settlements

If the tank has been scanned from the inside, it is also possible to measure the localized settlements on the
tank bottom.

Show only the “Tank mesh Bottom” from the “Separate Shell folder”. Select it and launch Tank\Localized
Settlements. This function will highlight bumps and hollows on the bottom of the tank, according to a ruler
dimension and a given tolerance.

Set 1 m for the ruler dimension and check the option “Use API 653 tolerance”. The tolerance is then
computed automatically. Click on Preview. We can see that the bottom respects the API standards, apart
from the center, where there is a lower part.

Uncheck the use of the API and set 0.005 m for the tolerance. This lower tolerance highlights the weld
seams on the bottom plate.

Page 16 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Localized settlements on the bottom plate

It is possible to create labels on specific points to know the deviation in specific areas of the bottom.

Click OK to validate the results. A new folder called "Localized Settlements” is created in the tree. It
contains a copy of the bottom plate mesh, colorized to show the deviations.

Page 17 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

6 Report
At the end of the workflow, all the results computed during the previous inspections can be included in one
single PDF report or exported in a CSV file.

Exercise: Print out a complete report

Create a PDF report

Export CSV Data

6.1 Create a PDF report

Without selecting anything, launch Tank\Create PDF Report.

Choose the orientation of the report: landscape or portrait. Then enter all the information about the project.
Give a title to the project and enter the name of your customer and of your company. It is also possible to
integrate the logo of both companies.

You can also choose the content of the report. By default, all computed results are checked.

Click on Preview to generate the report. This can take a few seconds.

Page 18 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Printing a complete PDF report

6.2 Export CSV Data

Some results can also be exported in CSV files. Launch the function Tank\Export CSV Data.

You can choose to export the results computed during the differential settlements, the verticality and the
roundness. Click on OK to save the CSV files.

Page 19 of 20
 3DReshaper Help 2017 MR1

Export the results in a CSV file

Page 20 of 20