The installation of optical fibres for communication purposes is increasingly being carried out using a blowing technique. This study reviews the basis of the current design methods for this technique and proposes a new method based on a more traditional fluid mechanics approach. The method is used to demonstrate how far optical fibres can be blown and the stress levels likely to be encountered by them at various positions within their journey. The method will allow for future technological developments to be simulated by allowing for air drag on the fibre and the constraining tube wall to be treated differently.
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