The take off of any angle welded elbow is what?

The take-off of an angle welded elbow is determined by the formula that calculates the length of the pipe that will be required to connect two sections after the elbow is installed. The correct answer, which involves taking the tangent of half the angle times the radius, is based on the geometric principles governing pipe fittings.

In the context of elbows, the "take-off" refers to the straight length of pipe that you need to cut to accommodate the elbow fitting without losing the necessary angles for connecting the pipes properly. For a welded elbow, which is typically measured in degrees (such as 45°, 90°, etc.), knowing the angle is crucial.

Taking the tangent of half the angle allows you to determine the ratio of the length opposite the angle to the radius of the elbow. By multiplying this tangent value by the radius, you find the correct length of the pipe take-off needed to make a proper connection. This formula ensures that the bend in the pipe is smooth and does not cause undue stress or turbulence in a flowing medium.

Understanding this principle is essential for pipefitters, as it impacts how efficiently and effectively piping systems can be designed and installed.