An Approximate Model for an Elastic-Plastic Pipe Element Under Combined Loading

Abstract

An approximate model for the elastic-plastic analysis of a pipe element under combined loading is developed. The model is obtained by generalizing a limit load solution for combined pressure, bending, torsion and axial load to include strain hardening. For various combinations of loading of tubes, curvatures and twist angles are predicted and compared with experimental results and those predicted by a more rigorous analytical approach. The comparison shows that good results are obtained from the approximate model.