An Approximate Analysis Giving Design Data for Corrugated Pipes

Abstract

This paper gives an approximate method of analysis for corrugated pipes and ducts, of the type in which the corrugations have a constant radius of curvature. The method is applicable to corrugations of any included angle, provided that the radius of curvature of the corrugation is small compared with the radius of the pipe. The analysis is carried out using the principle of minimum strain energy, in which the smallest possible number of terms are employed. The advantage of the method is that results giving extension, bending stress and circumferential stress can be evaluated for corrugations with different included angles, and simply presented in graphical form. These results are then readily available for design considerations covering corrugated pipes with internal pressure, axial load, and bending moment. The approximate results are compared, where possible, with some results from more precise methods of analysis, and also with some experimental results, and the comparison shows the present method to be sufficiently accurate for design considerations.