Comparison of Strip Yield and Net Section Plasticity Models for a Bar in Bending With a Single Edge Crack

The strip yield model is widely used to describe crack tip plasticity in front of a crack. In the strip yield model the stress in the plastic zone is considered as known, and stress and deformation fields can be obtained from elastic solutions using the condition that the crack tip stress singularity vanishes. The strip yield model is generally regarded to be valid to describe small scale plasticity at a crack tip. The present paper examines the behavior of the strip yield model at the transition to large-scale plasticity and its relationship to net section plasticity descriptions. A bar in bending with a single edge crack is used as an illustrative example to derive solutions and compare with one-sided and two-sided plasticity solutions.

EAM Potential for Hydrogen Storage Application

Palladium is capable of storing a large atomic percent of hydrogen at room temperature and allows for hydrogen to diffuse with a high mobility. These unique properties make it an efficient storage medium for hydrogen and hydrogen isotopes, such as tritium, a byproduct of nuclear reaction. Palladium thus can be used for applications where fast diffusion and large storage density are important. Better understanding of molecular level phenomena such as hydride phase transformation in the metal and the effect of defects in the materials provides clues to designing metal hydrides that perform better. Atomic simulations are useful in the evaluation of palladium-hydrides (Pd-H) systems as changes in composition can be more easily explored than with experiments. However, the complex behavior of the Pd-H system such as phase miscibility gap presents a huge challenge to developing accurate computational models. In this paper, we present the palladium hydride potentials to investigate and identify the relevant physical mechanisms necessary to describe the absorption of hydrogen within a metal lattice.

Analytical Modelling of Elastic Interaction in Bolted Flange Gasketed Joints

Bolted flange joints are widely used in the fossil and nuclear power plants and other industrial complex. During their assembly, it is extremely difficult to achieve the target bolt preload and tightening uniformity due to elastic interaction. In addition to the severe service loadings the initial bolt load scatter increases the risk of leakage failure. The objective of this paper is to present an analytical model to predict the bolt tension change due to elastic interaction during the sequence of initial tightening. The proposed analytical model is based on the theory of circular beams on linear elastic foundation. The elastic compliances of the flanges, the bolts, and the gasket due to bending, twisting and axial compression are involved in the elastic interaction. The developed model can be used to optimize the initial bolt load tightening to obtain a uniform final preload under minimum number of tightening passes. The approach is validated using finite element analysis and experimental tests conducted on a NPS 4 class 900 weld neck bolted flange joint.

A Detailed Proposal for an Oxidation Test for Flexible Graphite

While the oxidation of graphite in gaskets is a well known phenomenon it is often poorly quantified and the factors affecting it not always well known. There are some standard tests that can be used to determine graphite quality. While many of these material standards concentrate on the compositional impurities (sulfur, chlorides etc.) and the ash content; these are indicative of other properties and they are no real indication of oxidation performance. Recently, some test methods have been published that suggest a method for measuring oxidation performance; however, they have some shortcomings or constraints. Using modern, standard TGA (ThermoGravimetric Analysis), the work presented in this paper aims to provide a more detailed standard test that can be used to measure the oxidation rate of graphite in flowing air for a given set of time and temperature conditions. The paper will show what other conditions are critical and which are less significant in specifying a standard test. This will lead to the presentation of a suggestion for an improved standard test that builds on and further codifies the tests currently published. Finally, this paper will show the oxidation rates of a variety of different commercial graphite grades to illustrate the vast range of oxidation rates that are possible from the various grades of graphite.

FEM Stress Analysis and Mechanical Characteristics of Bolted Pipe Flange Connections With PTFE Blended Gaskets Subjected to External Bending Moments and Internal Pressure

In designing of pipe flange connections with gaskets, it is important to examine the mechanical characteristics of the connections subjected to external bending moments due to earthquake such as the changes in hub stress, axial bolt forces and the contact gasket stress distribution which governs the sealing performance. One of the authors developed the PTFE blended gaskets and the authors examined the mechanical characteristics of the connections with the PTFE blended gaskets under internal pressure. However, no research was done to examine the mechanical characteristics of the connections with the newly developed PTFE blended gasket subjected to external bending moment due to earthquake. The objectives of the present study are to examine the mechanical characteristics of the connection with PTFE blended gasket subjected to external bending moment and internal pressure and to discuss the difference in the load order to the connections between the internal pressure and the external bending moments. The changes in the hub stress, the axial bolt force and the contact gasket stress distribution of the connection are analyzed using FEM. Using the obtained the gasket stress distribution and the fundamental data between the gasket stress and the leak rate for a smaller test gasket, the leak rate of the connection with the gasket is predicted under external bending moment and internal pressure. In the FEM calculations, the effects of the nominal diameter of pipe flanges on the mechanical characteristics are shown. In the experiments, ASME class 300 4 inch flange connection with 2m pipes at both sides is used and the test gasket is chosen as No.GF300 made by Nippon Valqua Industries, ltd. Four point bending moment is applied to the connection. The FEM results of the hub stress and the axial bolt forces are in a fairly good agreement with the experimental results. In addition, the FEM results of the leak rate are fairly coincided with the measured results.

Analysis of Tension and Bending Response to Characterize Elastic-Plastic Material Behavior

The integrity of components can be affected by certain material degradation mechanisms that cause a loss of ductility. In cases where the component loading is primarily in bending, a loss of ductility can significantly reduce the load capacity. Material degradation may be determined by component testing involving the bending mode. In such cases, characterizing the material response in terms of yield stress, ultimate stress and failure strain is complicated by the nature of the load curve due to bending. The objective of this work is to examine in detail the relationship between tensile and bending response, with particular attention to the condition of decreasing ductility.

An Estimation of the Load Factor and Sealing Performance Evaluation for Bolted Pipe Flange Connections With Gaskets Under Internal Pressure

In designing bolted pipe flange connections with gaskets, It is necessary to know the actual residual gasket contact stress in the connections under internal pressure. However, the actual reduced gasket stress in the connection has not been sufficiently estimated. In estimating the actual residual contact gasket stress more precisely, it is needed to know the load factor (the ratio of an increment in axial bolt force to the axial force due to the internal pressure per bolt) of the connections with gaskets. The new formula for obtaining the load factor was proposed by one of the authors using the tensile spring constant Ktg and the compressive spring constant Kcg, while the spring constant of bolt-nut system is designated as Kt. In the present paper, for estimating the load factor of the connections with gaskets, the circular plate theory is applied for obtaining the values of Kcg and Ktg and then the load factor is obtained for pipe flanges specified JIS 10K flanges and ASME B 16.5 flanges. The obtained results are in a fairly good agreement with the FEM results. Using the obtained load factor for the connections, a design method is demonstrated taking account of the allowable leak rate. Using the residual contact gasket stress and the fundamental gasket leak rate, an amount of gas leakage is predicted. The predicted amount of gas leakage for 3” and 20” pipe flange connections is fairly coincided with the experimental results and the FEM results. In addition, a design method for determining the bolt preload for a give allowable real rate is demonstrated using the simple method for obtaining the load factor.

Exploring M & Y Gasket Factors and Their Degree of Correlation With Proposed PVRC Gasket Factors

The well-known gasket factors, m & y were introduced in 1943 as per ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1 for purposes of flange design. The test procedure for determining these factors, ASTM Standard F586, was published in 1979 but then ultimately withdrawn in 1998 with the assumption that these test standards would be replaced by a new test method and with it the generation of improved gasket constants. The original m & y constants had several shortcomings including the fact that many of the listed values assumed asbestos fiber gaskets while new gasket materials such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and FG (flexible graphite) were not addressed. Additionally, gasket manufacturers were allowed to publish m and y values for their own specific gasket materials and styles using their own test methods, thus dispensing with industry-wide standardization. ASTM Method F3149-15, “Standard Practice for Determining the Maintenance Factor (m) and Yield Factor (y) Loading Constants Applicable to Gasket Materials and Designs” represents an improvement over F586 but is not linked to standardized tightness levels. The proposed PVRC method with a new set of gasket constants is based on a load versus leakage test standard known as ROTT (Room Temperature Tightness Test). Following the ROTT method, ASTM WK39360, “New Test Method for Leak Rates Versus Y Stresses and M Factors for Gaskets derived from the Room Temperature Test Practice”, is being contemplated. This paper provides a review of the past inconsistencies of m & y values as published as well as an initial assessment of the degree of correlation between m & y values and tightness calculations achieved through the use of a previously documented fugitive emissions calculator for gasket materials which makes use of published ROTT data, and the operating pressure, flange NPS, gasket stress, and other inputs.

The Effects of Low Temperature Carbon Diffusion Treated Fasteners on Thread Galling Resistance

Kolsterising® is a low temperature carbon diffusion treatment, referred to as carburization, in which carbon is forced into the surface of metal. This results in a significant increase of surface hardness without the formation of crystalline solids or chemical elements.1 Carburization is not a coating process therefore the possibility of delamination is eliminated with the process. 2 Low temperature carbon diffusion treatment is being considered by a chemical company to possibly aid in the disassembly of higher alloy fasteners in attempts to reduce maintenance and equipment overhaul time during plant outages. This paper will explore the effects surface carburization, or carbon diffused surface hardening, has on the resistance of thread galling for B8M Class 1, B8M Class 2, and Hastelloy® C-276 fasteners.3 With the data provided from this initial study, a better understanding of the benefits low temperature carbon diffusion treated fasteners provides will be obtained. This paper has a limited scope that will utilize hand torqueing at various percentages of bolt yield to analyze the resultant clamping force of carburized fasteners in comparison to that of standard fasteners. This study is a milestone to further clarify the thread galling resistance that carburized fasteners provides.