Numerical and Experimental Study of Elastic Interaction in Bolted Flange Joints

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linbo Zhu ◽  
Abdel-Hakim Bouzid ◽  
Jun Hong

Bolted flange joints are widely used to connect pressure vessels and piping equipment together and facilitate their disassembly. Initial tightening of their bolts is a delicate operation because it is extremely difficult to achieve the target load and uniformity due to elastic interaction. The risk of failure due to leakage and fatigue under service loading is consequently increased. This paper presents a study on the effect of elastic interaction that is present during the tightening of bolted flange joints using three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element modeling and experimentation. The nonlinear nonelastic behavior of the gasket is taken into account in the numerical simulation. The scatter in bolt preload produced during the tightening sequence is evaluated. Based on the elastic interaction coefficient method, the initial target tightening load in each bolt for every pass is determined by using the nonlinear finite-element model to obtain a uniform preload after the final tightening pass. The validity of the finite-element analysis (FEA) is supported by experimental tests conducted on a NPS 4 class 900 weld neck bolted flange joints using fiber and flexible graphite gaskets. This study provides guidance and enhances the safety and reliability of bolted flange joints by minimizing bolt load scatter due to elastic interaction.

Author(s):  
Linbo Zhu ◽  
Abdel-Hakim Bouzid ◽  
Jun Hong

Bolted flange joints are widely used to connect pressure vessels and piping equipment together and facilitate their disassembly. Initial tightening of their bolts is a delicate operation because it is extremely difficult to achieve the target load and uniformity due to elastic interaction. The risk of failure due to leakage and fatigue under service loading is consequently increased. This paper presents a study on the effect of elastic interaction that is present during the tightening of a bolted flange joints using three-dimensional nonlinear finite element modeling and experimentation. The nonlinear non-elastic behavior of the gasket is taken into account in the numerical simulation. The scatter in bolt preload produced during the tightening sequence is evaluated. Based on the elastic interaction coefficient method, the initial target tightening load in each bolt for every pass are determined by using the nonlinear finite element model to obtain a uniform preload after the final tightening pass. The validity of the FEA (Finite Element Analysis) is supported by experimental tests conducted on a NPS 4 class 900 weld neck bolted flange joints using fiber and flexible graphite gaskets. This study provides guidance and enhances the safety and reliability of bolted flange joints by minimizing bolt scatter due to elastic interaction.


Author(s):  
Sayed A. Nassar ◽  
Zhijun Wu ◽  
Xianjie Yang

A three dimensional nonlinear finite element model is developed for achieving a uniform clamp load in gasketed bolted joints. The model is used for both multiple and single pass tightening patterns. Geometric nonlinearity of the gasket is taken into account and plastic model parameters are experimentally determined. The effect of the tightening pattern, gasket loading and unloading history, and the preload level is investigated. The validity of the FEA methodology is experimentally verified. This study helps improve the reliability of gasketed bolted joints by minimizing the bolt-to-bolt clamp load variation caused by elastic interaction among the various bolts in the joint during initial joint bolt-up.


Author(s):  
Linbo Zhu ◽  
Abdel-Hakim Bouzid ◽  
Jun Hong

Abstract Bolted flange joints are the most complex structural components of pressure vessels and piping equipment. Their assembly is a delicate task that determines their successful operation during the service life. During bolt tightening, it is very difficult to achieve uniformity of the target bolt preload due to elastic interaction and criss-cross talk. The risk of leakage failure under service loading is consequently increased because of the scatter of the bolt preload. In previous work, an analytical model based on the theory of circular beams on linear elastic foundation was proposed to predict the bolt tension change due to elastic interaction. Based on this model, this paper presents a novel methodology for the optimization of the tightening sequence. The target preload and the load to be applied to each bolt in each pass can be calculated to achieve uniform final preload and avoid bolt tension reaching yield under a number of specified tightening passes. The validity of the approach is supported by experimental tests conducted on a NPS 4 class 900 welding neck flange joint and by finite element analysis on this bolted joint using the criss-cross tightening and sequential patterns. This study provides guidelines for bolted flange joints assembly and enhances its safety and reliability by minimizing bolt tension scatter due to elastic interaction.


Author(s):  
Farzad Tasbihgoo ◽  
John P. Caffrey ◽  
Sami F. Masri

For the past several years, USC has been involved in a major research project to study the seismic mitigation measures of nonstructural components in hospitals funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It was determined that piping was the one of the most critical components affecting the functionality of a hospital following an earthquake. Consequently, a substantial effort was spent on quantifying the behavior of typical piping components. During the loading of the threaded joint, it was common to hear a loud popping sound, followed by a small water leak. It was assumed that the sound and leakage were due to the sliding of the mating pipe threads. To confirm this theory, and to provide a tool to help understand the failure mode(s) for a wide class of threaded fittings, a detailed nonlinear finite element model was constructed using MSC/NASTRAN, and correlated to the measured failures. In this paper, a simplified model is presented first to demonstrate the modeling procedure and to help understand the sliding phenomenon. Next, a symmetric half 3D model was generated for modeling the physical experiments. It is shown that the finite element analysis (FEA) of the threaded connections captures the dominant mechanism that was observed in the experimental tests.


1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 754-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Lovell ◽  
M. M. Khonsari ◽  
R. D. Marangoni

A brief review of finite element contact and friction theory is presented for low-speed bearing operations. A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to realistically characterize the friction experienced by a coated ball bearing element. The finite elements results, which are obtained for various normal loads and ball materials, are verified using Hertzian contact theory and previous experimental tests performed by the authors. From the results, general trends for the frictional behavior of coated bearing surfaces are established and implications to the field of controls, as applied to precision positioning and tracking instruments are discussed.


Author(s):  
Y. P. Chang ◽  
M. El-Gindy

A full nonlinear finite element P185/70R14 passenger car radial-ply tire model was developed and run on a 1.7-meter-diameter spinning test drum. The virtual tire/drum/cleat finite element model was constructed and tested using the nonlinear finite element analysis software, PAM-SHOCK. The tire model was constructed in extreme detail with three-dimensional solid, layered membrane, and beam finite elements, incorporating over 18,000 nodes and 24 different types of materials. In addition to the tire model itself, the rim was also included and rotated with the tire, with proper mass and rotational inertial effects. The FFT algorithm was applied to examine the transient response information in the frequency domain. The result showed that this P185/70R14 tire has clear peaks of 84 and 45 Hz transmissibility in the vertical and longitudinal directions. Also the paper presents the prediction of tire standing waves phenomenon, and computer animations of the standing waves phenomenon were carried out for the first time. The effects of different tire inflation pressures and tire axle loadings were investigated with respect to their influences on the formation of standing waves. The parameters adopted in this FEA tire model were validated against experimental work and showed excellent agreement.


2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayed A. Nassar ◽  
Zhijun Wu ◽  
Xianjie Yang

A three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model is developed for achieving a uniform clamp load in gasketed bolted joints. The model is used for both multiple and single pass tightening patterns. Geometric nonlinearity of the gasket is taken into account and plastic model parameters are experimentally determined. The effect of the tightening pattern, gasket loading and unloading history, and the preload level is investigated. The validity of the FEA methodology is experimentally verified. This study helps improve the reliability of gasketed bolted joints by minimizing the bolt-to-bolt clamp load variation caused by elastic interaction among the various bolts in the joint during initial joint-bolt-up.


1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. V. Pidaparti

Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) beam finite element model was developed to investigate the torsional stiffness of a twisted steel-reinforced cord-rubber belt structure. The present 3D beam element takes into account the coupled extension, bending, and twisting deformations characteristic of the complex behavior of cord-rubber composite structures. The extension-twisting coupling due to the twisted nature of the cords was also considered in the finite element model. The results of torsional stiffness obtained from the finite element analysis for twisted cords and the two-ply steel cord-rubber belt structure are compared to the experimental data and other alternate solutions available in the literature. The effects of cord orientation, anisotropy, and rubber core surrounding the twisted cords on the torsional stiffness properties are presented and discussed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Jeong ◽  
K. W. Kim ◽  
H. G. Beom ◽  
J. U. Park

Abstract The effects of variations in stiffness and geometry on the nonuniformity of tires are investigated by using the finite element analysis. In order to evaluate tire uniformity, a three-dimensional finite element model of the tire with imperfections is developed. This paper considers how imperfections, such as variations in stiffness or geometry and run-out, contribute to detrimental effects on tire nonuniformity. It is found that the radial force variation of a tire with imperfections depends strongly on the geometrical variations of the tire.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1152
Author(s):  
Rafał Nowak ◽  
Anna Olejnik ◽  
Hanna Gerber ◽  
Roman Frątczak ◽  
Ewa Zawiślak

The aim of this study was to compare the reduced stresses according to Huber’s hypothesis and the displacement pattern in the region of the facial skeleton using a tooth- or bone-borne appliance in surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME). In the current literature, the lack of updated reports about biomechanical effects in bone-borne appliances used in SARME is noticeable. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used for this study. Six facial skeleton models were created, five with various variants of osteotomy and one without osteotomy. Two different appliances for maxillary expansion were used for each model. The three-dimensional (3D) model of the facial skeleton was created on the basis of spiral computed tomography (CT) scans of a 32-year-old patient with maxillary constriction. The finite element model was built using ANSYS 15.0 software, in which the computations were carried out. Stress distributions and displacement values along the 3D axes were found for each osteotomy variant with the expansion of the tooth- and the bone-borne devices at a level of 0.5 mm. The investigation showed that in the case of a full osteotomy of the maxilla, as described by Bell and Epker in 1976, the method of fixing the appliance for maxillary expansion had no impact on the distribution of the reduced stresses according to Huber’s hypothesis in the facial skeleton. In the case of the bone-borne appliance, the load on the teeth, which may lead to periodontal and orthodontic complications, was eliminated. In the case of a full osteotomy of the maxilla, displacements in the buccolingual direction for all the variables of the bone-borne appliance were slightly bigger than for the tooth-borne appliance.


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