Finite Element Analysis of the Mechanical Behavior of Mitered Steel Pipe Elbows under Bending and Pressure

Abstract

Using finite element simulation tools, which account for both geometric and material nonlinearities, the bending capacity of mitered steel pipe bends is investigated. First, numerical results are reported on the elastic behaviour of two steel typical grade 40 steel mitered elbows with D/t values equal to 192 and 240, with the purpose of calculating flexibility and stress intensity factors. Furthermore, the elastic-plastic response of the two bends is also examined towards identifying their ultimate capacity and the corresponding mode of failure. Internal pressure effects on the structural response are also examined. The present paper addresses some important features of mitered steel pipe elbow response that may arise in geohazard areas, towards safeguarding the structural integrity of steel water pipelines subjected to severe ground-induced actions. © 2016 ASCE.