Investigation on structural integrity of shape distorted 90° back-to-back pipe bends under in-plane closing bending moment

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study is to ensure the structural integrity of 90° back-to-back (B2B) pipe bends by developing a closed-form numerical solution for estimating the collapse load of shape distorted 90° B2B pipe bends using non-linear finite element (FE) analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe collapse behaviour of 90° B2B pipe bends with ovality (Co) and thinning (Ct) has been evaluated by non-linear FE approach. Moment load is applied in the form of in-plane closing moment (IPCM). The current FE approach was evaluated by the numerical solution for the plastic collapse moment of pipe bends, which has been published in the literature. The collapse moments were obtained from the twice elastic slope (TES) method using the moment-rotation curve of every individual model.FindingsThe implication of Ct/Cth on collapse load is found to be highly insignificant in terms of increasing bend radius and Co. Co weakens the geometry, and its effect on the collapse load is substantial. A closed-form numerical solution has been proposed to calculate the collapse load of 90° B2B pipe bend with shape imperfections.Originality/valueThe implications of shape distortion (Co and Ct) in the failure analysis (collapse load) of 90° B2B pipe bends has not been investigated and reported.