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Determination of load capacity of a non-gasketed flange joint under combined internal pressure, axial and bending loading for safe strength and sealing

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Abstract

Performance of a bolted flange joint is characterized mainly due to its ‘strength’ and ‘sealing capability’. A number of analytical and experimental studies have been conducted to study these characteristics only under internal pressure loading. A very limited work is found in literature under combined internal pressure and bending loading. Due to the ignorance of external loads i.e. bending and axial in addition to the internal pressure loading, an optimized performance of the bolted flange joint can not be achieved. The present design codes do not address the effects of combined loading on the structural integrity and sealing ability. To investigate joint strength and sealing capability under combined loading, an extensive comparative experimental and numerical study of a non-gasketed flange joint with two different taper angles on the flange surface and with different load combinations is carried out and overall joint performance and behavior is discussed. Actual joint load capacity is determined under both the design and proof test pressures with maximum additional external loading (axial and bending) that can be applied for safe joint performance.

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Abbreviations

υ :

Poisson’s ratio

E:

Young’s modulus of elasticity (MPa)

SHP:

FEA Hoop stress at gauge location at pipe (MPa)

SHF:

FEA Hoop stress at gauge location at flange (hub fillet/hub centre) (MPa)

SYP:

FEA axial stress at gauge location at pipe (MPa)

SYF:

FEA axial stress at gauge location at flange (hub fillet/hub centre) (MPa)

SIF:

FEA stress intensity at gauge location at hub centre/hub fillet (MPa)

SYI:

FEA axial stress at gauge location at inside node of bolt (MPa)

SYO:

FEA axial stress at gauge location at outside node of bolt (MPa)

PSF:

FEA principal stress at gauge location at flange hub centre/fillet (MPa)

SIP:

FEA stress intensity in pipe (MPa)

ESP:

Experimental stress in pipe (MPa)

ESF:

Experimental stress in flange (MPa)

ESHP:

Experimental hoop stress at pipe (MPa)

ESYP:

Experimental axial stress at pipe (MPa)

ESYF:

Experimental axial stress at flange (MPa)

ESHF:

Experimental hoop stress at hub fillet (MPa)

ES SY-I:

Experimental axial stress in bolt at inside gauge (MPa)

ES SY-O:

Experimental axial stress in bolt at outside gauge (MPa)

DP:

Design pressure (15.3 MPa)

PT:

Proof test pressure (23 MPa)

FID:

Flange inside diameter (mm)

FOD:

Flange outside diameter (mm)

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK for providing the test rig for the experimental work, and the Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad for providing funding to carry out this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, KPK, Pakistan

    Muhammad Abid & Abdul Waheed Awan

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    David H. Nash

Authors
  1. Muhammad Abid
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  2. Abdul Waheed Awan
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  3. David H. Nash
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Correspondence to Muhammad Abid.

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Technical Editor: Lavinia Maria Sanabio Alves Borges.

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Abid, M., Awan, A.W. & Nash, D.H. Determination of load capacity of a non-gasketed flange joint under combined internal pressure, axial and bending loading for safe strength and sealing. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 36, 477–490 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-014-0136-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-014-0136-0

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