Finite Element Analysis of Pipe Bends under External Loads

Abstract

Pipelines are being used to convey different sorts of fluids from hazardous and toxic substances to high pressure steam. Piping systems are subjected to various external loads leading to major failures with gross plastic deformation. Pipe bends are incorporated into piping systems not only to change the direction of flow but also to provide flexibility, hence they are considered to be critical components and its safe design under various loads becomes important. Earlier studies of pipe bends utilized analytical methods to determine the plastic loads. The evolution of FEM and the advancements in computational capabilities have enabled analysts to generate large number of data which is expensive and time consuming with experimental investigations. In this chapter, the major studies on pipe bends by various researchers are explored. Different studies on pipe bends namely stress analysis and the influence of geometric shape imperfections are also presented.