Systematical FE Analysis of Bolt Assembly Process of Pipe Flange Connections

Author(s):  
Tomohiro Takaki ◽  
Toshimichi Fukuoka

In bolt assembly process of pipe flange connections, repeated bolt-up operations are conducted to achieve uniform preloads. Nobody, however, knows how many times of bolt-up operation is required to achieve uniform preloads. It is important for practicing workers to know the number of bolt-up operations. The number of bolt-up operation required to get uniform bolt preloads depends on the nominal diameter of pipe flange, the number of bolts, the types of gasket, etc. In this study, systematical finite element analyses of bolt-up operation are conducted for JPI class 150in and 300in flanges with a compressed asbestos sheet gasket. The number of bolt-up operations required to achieve uniform preloads is estimated for each pipe flange connection.

Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Naofumi Ogata

This paper deals with the stress analysis of a pipe flange connection with a spiral wound gasket using the elasto-plastic finite element method taking account the hysteresis and the non-linearity in the stress-strain curve of the spiral wound gasket, when an intemal pressure is applied to the pipe flange connections with the different nominal diameters from 2″ to 20″. The effects of the nominal diameter of the pipe flange on the contact stress distributions at the interfaces are examined. Leakage tests of the pipe flange connections with 3″ and 20″ nominal diameters were conducted and measurement of the axial bolt force was also performed. The results by the finite element analysis are fairly consistent with the experimental results concerning the variation in the axial bolt force. By using the contact stress distributions and the results of the leakage test, the new gasket constants are evaluated. As a result, it is found that the variations in the contact stress distributions are substantial due to the flange rotation in the pipe flange connections with the larger nominal diameter. In addition, a method to determine the bolt preload for a given tightness parameter is demonstrated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alper Yıldırım ◽  
Ahmet Arda Akay ◽  
Hasan Gülaşık ◽  
Demirkan Çoker ◽  
Ercan Gürses ◽  
...  

Finite element analysis (FEA) of bolted flange connections is the common methodology for the analysis of bolted flange connections. However, it requires high computational power for model preparation and nonlinear analysis due to contact definitions used between the mating parts. Design of an optimum bolted flange connection requires many costly finite element analyses to be performed to decide on the optimum bolt configuration and minimum flange and casing thicknesses. In this study, very fast responding and accurate artificial neural network-based bolted flange design tool is developed. Artificial neural network is established using the database which is generated by the results of more than 10,000 nonlinear finite element analyses of the bolted flange connection of a typical aircraft engine. The FEA database is created by taking permutations of the parametric geometric design variables of the bolted flange connection and input load parameters. In order to decrease the number of FEA points, the significance of each design variable is evaluated by performing a parameter correlation study beforehand, and the number of design points between the lower and upper and bounds of the design variables is decided accordingly. The prediction of the artificial neural network based design tool is then compared with the FEA results. The results show excellent agreement between the artificial neural network-based design tool and the nonlinear FEA results within the training limits of the artificial neural network.


2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Satoshi Nagata ◽  
Hirokazu Tsuji

This paper deals with some studies carried out in the bolted flanged connection committee (BFC) in Japan Pressure Vessel Council (JPVRC) on the stress analysis of a pipe flange connection using the elastoplastic finite element method. The characteristics of the connections with the different nominal diameters from 2in. to 20in. such as the contact gasket stress distribution, the hub stress, and the load factors were examined. The results from the finite element analyses were fairly consistent with the experimental results concerning the variation in the axial bolt force. By using the contact stress distributions and the results of the leakage test, the new gasket constants were evaluated. As a result, it was found that the variations in the contact stress distributions were substantial due to the flange rotation in the pipe flange connections with the larger nominal diameter. A method to determine the bolt preload for a given tightness parameter was demonstrated and the difference in the bolt preload between our research and PVRC was shown. In addition, the characteristics of pipe flange connection under a bending moment and internal pressure were also discussed and a newly developed bolt tightening method was demonstrated.


Author(s):  
M. C. Messner ◽  
T.-L. Sham

The distinction between a ratcheting and non-ratcheting response is critical for many high temperature design methods. Non-ratcheting is generally considered safe — deformation remain bounded over the lifetime of the component — while ratcheting is undesirable. As a particular example, the elastic perfectly-plastic (EPP) design methods described in recent ASME Section III, Division 5 code cases require a designer to distinguish ratcheting from non-ratcheting for finite element analyses using a relatively simple, elastic perfectly-plastic constitutive response. However, it can be quite difficult to distinguish these two deformation regimes using finite element (FE) analysis particularly in the case where the actual ratcheting strain is small. In practice FE analysis of structures that are analytically in either the plastic shakedown or ratcheting regimes will result in small, cycle-to-cycle accumulated strains characteristic of ratcheting. Distinguishing false ratcheting — the structure is actually in the plastic shakedown regime — from true ratcheting can be challenging. We describe the characteristics of nonlinear FE analysis that cause these false ratcheting strains and describe practical methods for distinguishing a ratcheting from a non-ratcheting response.


Author(s):  
Randy Wacker

Various resources have long been available from which bolted flange connection (BFC) preload guidance can be chosen. These range from Rules of Thumb gleaned from experience, to tables and charts based on average gasket stress, to parametric generalizations derived from the results of limited finite element analyses. Because the primary components of a BFC (flange, fastener and gasket) interact with one another to respond as a single system, and the system is unique to the conditions that define it, guidance based on these specific conditions will improve the accuracy of preload solutions and generate data to show the relative strengths and weaknesses of a given BFC. This paper presents a methodology that sets practical stress limits on a collection of commonly used ASME B16.5 welding neck flange components and then uses finite element analysis to solve the condition of preload that results in one or more limits being satisfied. Each preload solution is unique to the properties and geometries that define it and includes the effects of three design conditions. Fastener stress solutions include both the tension and bending components. This shows that yielding can initiate at relatively low values of preload when flange rotation is significant. Charts are created to show solution trends. This simplifies the task of identifying the component that sets the upper bound for a given solution. It also provides the basis to compare similar component combinations.


Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Hong-wei Guo ◽  
Juan Wu ◽  
Zi-ming Kou ◽  
Anders Eriksson

In view of the problems of low accuracy, small rotational angle, and large impact caused by flexure joints during the deployment process, an integrated flexure revolute (FR) joint for folding mechanisms was designed. The design was based on the method of compliance and stiffness ellipsoids, using a compliant dyad building block as its flexible unit. Using the single-point synthesis method, the parameterized model of the flexible unit was established to achieve a reasonable allocation of flexibility in different directions. Based on the single-parameter error analysis, two error models were established to evaluate the designed flexure joint. The rotational stiffness, the translational stiffness, and the maximum rotational angle of the joints were analyzed by nonlinear finite element analyses. The rotational angle of one joint can reach 25.5° in one direction. The rotational angle of the series FR joint can achieve 50° in one direction. Experiments on single and series flexure joints were carried out to verify the correctness of the design and analysis of the flexure joint.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Mathern ◽  
Jincheng Yang

Nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is characterized by numerous modeling options and input parameters. To accurately model the nonlinear RC behavior involving concrete cracking in tension and crushing in compression, practitioners make different choices regarding the critical modeling issues, e.g., defining the concrete constitutive relations, assigning the bond between the concrete and the steel reinforcement, and solving problems related to convergence difficulties and mesh sensitivities. Thus, it is imperative to review the common modeling choices critically and develop a robust modeling strategy with consistency, reliability, and comparability. This paper proposes a modeling strategy and practical recommendations for the nonlinear FE analysis of RC structures based on parametric studies of critical modeling choices. The proposed modeling strategy aims at providing reliable predictions of flexural responses of RC members with a focus on concrete cracking behavior and crushing failure, which serve as the foundation for more complex modeling cases, e.g., RC beams bonded with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates. Additionally, herein, the implementation procedure for the proposed modeling strategy is comprehensively described with a focus on the critical modeling issues for RC structures. The proposed strategy is demonstrated through FE analyses of RC beams tested in four-point bending—one RC beam as reference and one beam externally bonded with a carbon-FRP (CFRP) laminate in its soffit. The simulated results agree well with experimental measurements regarding load-deformation relationship, cracking, flexural failure due to concrete crushing, and CFRP debonding initiated by intermediate cracks. The modeling strategy and recommendations presented herein are applicable to the nonlinear FE analysis of RC structures in general.


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