Why Are Formulas Not Used Instead of Tables in ANSI Standards?

[jakesee]

The ANSI standards for engineering seems to be always published in a table form like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Pipe_Size but it looks like a really limited way of displaying results.

Why is it that there isn't any formulas we can use to compute the results rather than look up loads of tables? I am quite sure these values are calculated from some physics formulas (actual values) and engineering principles (safety margin etc).

Anyone to enlighten me please? Thanks.

 

[Navin A S]

There are formulas that can be used to calculate engineering values, however, these formulas can be complicated and hard to understand. Therefore, tables have been developed as a simpler way of presenting the data. Tables are easier to reference and can provide more accurate values than a formula, as they have been designed by experienced engineers and account for safety margins and other considerations.