Effect of Internal Pressure on Flexibility Factors in Pipe Elbows With End Constraints

Abstract

Finite element method has been used in the present work to study the stress distribution in an elbow with end constraints subjected to in-plane moment and pressure. Elbows of short radius (R/r ) with varying pipe factors and bend angles have been considered. Present numerical results show for all elbow angles that follower pipe factors (thin pipes) the internal pressure reduces the flexibility factor by a larger amount than for elbows having larger pipe factors. These results are in line with the conclusions published earlier.