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Smaller Circles In Larger Circle

Reference data and engineering information about smaller circles in larger circle for miscellaneous applications.

smallercircleslargercircle

Overview

Engineering reference data for Smaller Circles In Larger Circle in miscellaneous.

Key Formulas

Unit Conversion

y=xky = x \cdot k

Multiply by conversion factor.

Linear Interpolation

y=y1+(xx1)(y2y1)x2x1y = y_1 + \frac{(x - x_1)(y_2 - y_1)}{x_2 - x_1}

Estimate between two known points.

Percentage

p=partwhole×100%p = \frac{\text{part}}{\text{whole}} \times 100\%

Part as fraction of whole.

Variables

SymbolDescriptionUnit
xxInput value
yyOutput value
kkConversion factor

Applications

The circle packing calculator can be used for various engineering and industrial applications, including estimating:

  • The number of small pipes that fit into a large pipe or tube.
  • The number of wires possible in a conduit.
  • The number of fibers that fit in a connector.

Iterative Method for Bundle Diameter

The outside diameter of a pipe bundle can be approximated by iteratively adjusting the large pipe diameter input until the calculated number of pipes matches the desired bundle count. The following table shows an example iteration for 30 pipes with a 1.5-inch diameter.

6 rows
Example: Iterative calculation for the outside diameter of a bundle of 30 x 1.5 inch pipes.
Iteration No.
Small Pipe Diameter(in)
Large Pipe Diameter(in)
No. of Pipes
11.51032
21.5926
31.59.831
41.59.629
51.59.731
61.59.6530

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

ANSI Schedule 40 Steel Pipe Reference Data

This table provides the maximum number of smaller circles (based on outside diameter) that can fit inside larger circles (based on inside diameter) for selected ANSI Schedule 40 Steel Pipes.

3 rows
Maximum number of smaller circles (pipes) fitting inside larger circles (pipes) for ANSI Schedule 40 Steel Pipes.
Small Pipe Outside Diameter(in)
7.98 in Large Circle
10.02 in Large Circle
11.94 in Large Circle
1.9122029
2.3881219
2.885811

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Interactive Charts

Number smaller circles within larger circle

Circles - Circumferences and Areas

References