Experimental and Analytical Evaluation of Buckling Forces of a Spiral Wound Flexible Gasket

Abstract

Inward buckling forces of spiral wound flexible gaskets is studied experimentally and analytically using the finite element method. A series of experiments was conducted utilizing an NPS 16 Class 300 weld-neck pipe and flange conforming to specification ASME B16.5. Strain gauges were mounted on the inner and outer metallic rings of the spiral wound sealing gasket and strain data was recorded during initial bolt pre-loading. Using this particular experiment as a pattern, a finite element model was developed to simulate the flange, bolt, and nonlinear gasket response under identical loading conditions. The computer-generated solid model consists of a quarter-symmetry, three-dimensional assembly constructed to the specifications of the pipe, flange, bolts, and gaskets used in the hardware trials. The finite element model was loaded to simulate the initial bolt pre-loading through the same range as in the original experiment. Solutions obtained from the finite element model are compared with the experimental results, and conclusions are drawn.