Stress and flexibility factors for multi-mitred bends subjected to out-of-plane bending

Abstract

A theoretical analysis has been developed to predict stress distributions and flexibility factors associated with out-of-plane bending of multi-mitred pipe bends. The estimated range of validity of the analysis is sufficient to include most practical multi-mitred pipe bends. Tests on a large-diameter, thin-walled, three-weld right-angled multi-mitred bend were undertaken and the results closely agreed with computations based on the analysis. Predictions for both flexibility factors and overall maximum-stress ratios from the analysis were almost identical with those given by an in-plane bending theory that had been developed from a similar method of approach.