In non corroded conditions: Sj = spring rate of the expansion joint or, in the case of two or more flexible

elements, Sj shall be the overall spring rate of the system.

FLEXIBLE SHELL ELEMENTS CALCULATION ACCORDING TO RCB-8 TEMA 2007.

1) SPRING RATE DETERMINATION

1.1) Select a geometry for the flexible element per para RCB 8.21
1.2) Construct a two dimensional axisymmetric FEA model of one element.
1.2.1) Mesh development:
The mesh shall be developed using eight nodes quadratic axisymmetric elements.
Six elements shall be used through the thickness.
Element should have aspect ratio no greater than 2 and axial length no greater than 0.25*t
( t is the thickness of FSE)

1.3) Apply axial load for spring rate determination.

Faxial = (* G ^2) / 4 * 0.68947 ( N )

1.4) Perform FEA for displacement determination (axial)

1.5) Determine Spring rate
For one flexible element :
KE= Kfse= ½(Faxial / axial) ( N/mm )
For N flexible elements:
KE= Kfse / N ( N/mm )
1.6) Repeat from 1.1 to 1.5 for corroded and uncorroded condition
2) STRESS DETERMINATION AND CHECKING
2.1) Use for corroded and uncorroded condition models developed in point 1).
2.2) Develop code calculation of tubesheets according to TEMA
2.3) For each loading condition calculate Ss = axial membrane stress in the
shell.
2.4) Calculate the corresponding displacement.
 = (Ss*As) / KE
As= Shell cross section area
2.5) Determine displacement applied to the FEM model.
applied = * / (2 * N)
N = Number of flexible elements

2.6) Apply pressure and displacement to the model

2.7) Perform FEA to determine Stresses.

2.8) Compute membrane and bending stress along
Stress classification lines using linearization.
2.9) Compare membrane stress and membrane + bending as per code.

IF NECESSARY PERFORM A FATIGUE ANALYSIS PER PARAGRAPH RCB-8.7

The fatigue analysis shall be in accordance with ASME VIII div 2
with the following restrictions:

All accessible welds in cyclic service shall have 100% of VT and

PT/MT inspection. The Fatigue Strength Reduction Factor shall
not be less than 1.7 for welded regions and 1.1 for unwelded
regions.

When one or both sides are inaccessible the Fatigue Strength

Reduction Factor shall be in accordance with WRC 432 but
In no case shall be less than 1.1

The smooth bar design curve for the material of construction shall be used.

The peak stress to be used in the fatigue curves shall be one half
of the product of the linearized membrane plus bending stress.
and the Fatigue Strength Reduction Factor