The Characteristics of Bolted Joints Subjected to External Bending Moments : (Analysis of the Case Where Clamped Parts are Pipe Flanges with Gaskets by Three-Dimensional Theory of Elasticity)

Abstract

Few investigations have been carried out on the characteristics of bolted joints with a gasket which are subjected to external bending moments. In this paper, the characteristics of the pipe flanges with a full-face metallic gasket subjected to external bending moments are examined. In the analysis, the pipe flange and the gasket are replaced with hollow cylinders. The distribution of contact stresses, the force ratio for the external bending moment (the relationship between an increment or decrement of bolt axial force and the external bending moment) and the maximum stress produced in the bolts are analyzed as axi-asymmetrical problems using a three-dimensional theory of elasticity. For verification, experiments are performed with respect to the force ratio for the external bending moment and the maximum stress in the bolts. The analytical results are in fairly good agreement with the experimental ones.