Ultimate capacity of pipe bends under bending and pressure

Abstract

The structural capacity of pressurized pipe elbows under in-plane bending is examined. The investigation is conducted through advanced finite element analysis tools. The numerical results are successfully compared with available experimental measurements. In addition, a parametric study is conducted, which is aimed at investigating the effects of the diameter-to-thickness ratio on the ultimate capacity of 90 deg elbows, focusing on the failure mode (buckling or flattening), the maximum bending strength, and the deformation capacity. The effects of moderate internal and external pressure levels on the ultimate moment and the failure mode are examined extensively. Copyright © 2008 by ASME.