Stiffness of Broad-Faced Gasketted Flanged Joints

Abstract

The mechanism by which broad-faced flanged joints retaining a circular plate exert restraint against the flexure of the plate due to pressure differentials is discussed and studied experimentally. The theory proposed by Yi-Yuan Yu for determining the stiffness of an ungasketted joint is reconsidered and modified to suit the observed behaviour of metal-to-metal joints and of joints where one or more gaskets are included between mating surfaces of the joint assembly. Hence, a more exact method for calculating stiffness factors for such joint assemblies is formulated. Experiments were conducted on a particular design of header to tube-plate assembly and the results used to check the validity of the modified theory.