Stress and flexibility factors for multi-mitred pipe bends subjected to internal pressure combined with external loadings

Abstract

The stress analysis of a multi-mitred pipe bend when subjected to an internal pressure and a simultaneous in-plane or out-of-plane bending load has been developed. Stress patterns and flexibility factors calculated by this analysis are compared with experimental results from a large-diameter, thin-walled, three-weld, 90°multi-mitred bend which was subjected to in-plane bending tests at various internal pressures.