Experimental and numerical investigation of pipe T-junctions under strong cyclic loading

Abstract

Tee pipe junctions are piping components widely used in industrial and pipeline applications. Their performance under severe loading conditions may be critical for the structural integrity of an industrial facility. When these components are subjected to repeated loading associated with cyclic plasticity, failure is possible. The present work is a combined experimental and numerical effort which examines the behavior of piping branch T-junctions subjected to strong cyclic out-of-plane bending. The first part of this paper describes the experimental investigation of the junction performance. Tests are conducted in a constant and varying amplitude displacement-controlled mode resulting to failure in the low-cycle fatigue range. The overall behavior of each specimen in terms of fatigue life, as well as the evolution and concentration of local strains are monitored throughout the testing procedure. The experimental investigation is supported by finite element modeling, developed to simulate the experiments. Advanced cyclic plasticity material models are employed and emphasis is given on the local strains developed at the critical part of the T-junctions where first cracking occurs. Copyright © 2013 by ASME.