E. 0 .

W A T E R S Axisymmetric, Nonidentical, Flat Face

Professor Emeritus,
Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.
Mem. ASME
Flanges With Metal-to-Metal Contact
R. W. S C H N E I D E R
M a n a g e r of Engineering,
Beyond tie l i l t Circle
Bonney Forge Division,
Bonney Forge and Foundry, Inc.
A method of analysing a pair of non-identical, axisymmetric flat face flanges with metal-
Allentown, Pa. Mem. ASME
to-metal contact beyond the bolt circle is described. The design method lakes •into ac-
count interaction between opposing flanges in a bolted closure and provides for com-
patibility of deformations of all elements comprising the closure. The case of a blind
cover to an integral flange having a hub of uniform thickness is described in detail.
However, the same analytical approach can be extended to cover a tapered, hubbed flange
or the general sit nation where a reducing flange is substituted for the blind cover.

Introduction
T H E SUBCOMMITTEE on Bolted Flanged Connections
(Pressure Vessel Research C o m m i t t e e of the Welding Research
Council) and the T a s k G r o u p on Full Face Flanges ( A S M E Sub-
group on Openings and A t t a c h m e n t s ) are cooperatively d e v e l o p -
ing information for the rational design of flat face flanges with
metal-to-metal contact b e y o n d the bolt circle. T h e research
topic was proposed by A S M E Special C o m m i t t e e to R e v i e w C o d e
Stress Basis as a result of inquiries f r o m industry to the A S M E
Boiler and Pressure Vessel C o m m i t t e e . It is designated T o p i c 3
—Stresses in Bolted Flanged Connections [ l ] . 1 A design basis
was presented in a recent paper [2]; however, it is limited to the
special case of symmetrical configurations where the flanges c o m -
prising a closure are identical in all respects. Such a system of
flanges is shown in Fig. 1.
1 Numbers in brackets designate References at end of paper.
Contributed by the Pressure Vessels and Piping Division and pre-
sented at the Winter Annual Meeting, New York, N . Y., December 1-5,
1 9 0 8 , o f T H E A M E R I C A N SOCIETY OF M E C H A N I C A L E N G I N E E R S .
script received at. A S M E Headquarters. July 23, 1968.
68—WA/PVP-5.
This paper describes how the same theory [2], with a few minor
revisions, can be used f o r the general case of unsymmetrical con-
figurations where the flanges are no longer a " m a t c h e d pair."
T h e following conditions are imposed:
1 T h e flanges are axisymmetric and for service under internal
pressure.
2 T h e flanges are bolted directly together since the use of a
spacer requires other changes in theory.
3 Gasket seating loads are negligible and the gasket groove
detail allows full metal-to-metal contact at a relatively low initial
bolt stress. Also, the gasket is approximately in line with the
pipe or vessel wall.
4 T h e flanges and bolts have stable elastic properties and the
design temperature is below the creep range.
Although the analysis which follows is limited to the assembly
shown in Fig. 2, the theory is equally applicable to any other pair
of flanges that complies with the foregoing conditions. I t is im-
portant t o note that the basic theory which was formulated t o
facilitate the analysis of symmetrical configurations [2] has been
Manu-
retained. It has been amplified, however, to handle the new p r o b -
Paper No.
lems created b y the interaction of nonidentical flanges. I t w a s

•Nomenclature'

A = cross-sectional area of one b o l t at root of thread or b o l t load per beam

section of least diameter, scj in. A£ e due to the load
a = w i d t h of beam between bolt circle and outside K i = outward radial deflection of shell flange due to pres-
diameter = (Rm + ( + b m a x / 2 ) / f i „ „ in. sure
H = calculated operating bolt load per beam at design PR. \Rm + Lf- + RJ
0.3 m.
pressure, l b / b e a m E, (Rm +LT-- R„.
h = distance f r o m bolt circle to flange-flange bearing KB = factor so that KBQ is outward radial deflection of
circle, in. shell flange due to shear force Q
bma = distance f r o m bolt circle to the outer edge of flange, _ (R,n + Lf + Rm
+ 0.3 scj in / l b
in. tfE; L(fl,„ + LY - R„.
c ~ width of beam between midradius of shell and bolt (, = effective strain length of bolts and studs = t„ + lf
circle = (R„ + 1/2)/Rm, in. + nominal bolt diameter + thickness of washers
d = diameter of bolt hole, in. for through studs, or tc + tf + \ nominal b o l t
Ec, Ef, j modulus of elasticity of cover material, flange m a - diameter + thickness of washers for headed bolts
> = terial, bolt: material, and shell material, re- L = width of flange, in.
Eb, Es ) spect.ivelv, psi I = distance f r o m midthickness of shell to b o l t circle,
f, / ' , / " = factors used to account for the increased flexibility in.
of flanges due to b o l t holes Mi = meridional bending m o m e n t at radius Rm in cover,

F = axial load due to pressure = PR,,,/2, lb/in. lb i n / i n . (positive as shown in Fig. 4 ( a ) )

h = shell thickness, in. Afz = effective meridional bending m o m e n t at bore of
K = b o l t stiffness = N'AEb/l„ l b / i n / b e a m or (Continued on next page)

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 "O" RING

1H-METAL
SPACER

-ELASTOMER Fig. 2 One type of nonidentical flanges to which the analysis applies
SEAL METAL
WELDED OR INTEGRAL SPACER
HUB OF UNIFORM Design
THICKNESS
Review of Symmetrical Configurations. I n the case of a pair of
*- t——A identical flanges, such as illustrated in Fig. 1, it was shown that
"max f [2]:

t
t
n J ^ " 0 " RING
1 Flat face flanges behave differently than so-called
v e n t i o n a l " flanges.
"con-

t > 2 Flexural behavior of a flange can b e described using beam

1 t
4 r
)
Fig. 1 Examples of symmetrical configurations
considered essential t o approach the problem in this manner
since it is a prime goal of the cooperating committees to develop
a single m e t h o d of analyzing flat face flanges—irrespective of
whether they are symmetrical or unsymmetrical configurations.
Subscripts c and / are used to indicate cover and shell flange,
respectively; c is also used to denote a circumferential stress,
e.g., crc. Letters u and b, as subscripts, denote unbalanced and
balanced moments, respectively.
theory considering the flanges to be c o m p o s e d of discrete, radial
beams.
3 T h e discrete, trapezoidal elements can be modified to
equivalent elements uniformly a in. wide f r o m the bolt circle to
the outside diameter and c in. wide f r o m the bore to the b o l t
circle f o r a beam of unit w i d t h at Rm.
4 Under internal pressure, the flanges bear against each other
b e y o n d the bolt circle. T h e location of the centroid of the reac-
tive forces can be calculated b y using beam theory and assuming
that line contact occurs where the slope of a beam is calculated
to be zero under the imposed loads.
A typical f r e e - b o d y diagram of such a flange is shown in Fig.
3. Since the mating flange is a duplicate in all respects, it will
be acted upon b y the same sj'stem of forces. I t is obvious that
such a structure is in static equilibrium and it is equally obvious
that the summation of m o m e n t s must equal zero in order t o use
beam analogy to represent the behavior of the flanges. There-
fore, in the case of a pair of nonidentical flanges, when 2 M ^ 0,

-Nomenclature-

shell-flange which includes Q l f / 2 term, lb i n / i n . when b < bmax, radians

(positive as shown in Fig. 4 ( a ) ) di = slope of flange at bolt circle due to balanced loading
N number of b o l t s / i n . of circumference of bolt circle, only when b < 6 m a l , radians
in.-' d3 = slope of flange at O . D . clue to balanced loading only
N' number of b o l t s / b e a m = N(R„ + l)/Rm when b > 6„,„ x , radians
P design pressure, psig 3/ - additional change in slope of cover and shell flange
shear force at flange-shell junction, l b / i n . (positive respectively, due to unbalanced loading, radians
as shown in Fig. 5 ) 13 = factor in shell equations = [3(1 - v*)/Rm-h°-]l/l,
Rm = radius to midthickness of shell, in. in.-'
S == ratio, M i / M i , dimensionless 5 = total initial strain in a b o l t due to pretensioning
t, == thickness of shell flange, in. = a,(e/Eb, ill.
tc == thickness of cover flange, in. 7b = calculated operating b o l t stress at design pressure,
Ml == total outward radial deflection of shell flange at psi
Rm o-i initial b o l t stress due to pretensioning, psi
= IiA + KbQ + (0t/ + d/)t,/2 o". calculated circumferential stress in shell at flange-
when b < 6 m a : t or = ICA + KBQ + (6lf + d3/ + shell junction (membrane plus bending stress),
e/)lf/2 when b > b max, in. psi
«2 = outward radial deflection of shell due to pressure u„ = calculated longitudinal stress in shell at flange-
PRJ( 1 - v/2)/EJi, in. shell junction (membrane plus bending stress), psi
Poisson's ratio dK = calculated radial stress in flange, psi
slope of flange at /?„, due to balanced loading only <j t = calculated tangential stress in flange, psi

616 / A U G U ST 19 6 9 Transactions ol the A S M E

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 J M , (• DIRECTION)

-P
1
R

m
>t
y_
Q- M, (+ DIRECTION)

B M F

M F
•rnax B F
-0

-P ))
l
1
d R
f*—b •

R
Fig. 3 Free-body diagram of one flange of an identical pair (symmetrical
configuration)

Fig. 4
B F
Free-body diagram of an unsymmelrical configuration
u
it is necessary to implement beam analogs' to account for the
presence of unbalanced moments.
Miu E2t2z
Unsymmetrical Configurations where Z M ^ 0. F i g . 4 ( a ) is a f r e e - W
body diagram of an unsymmetrical configuration which cannot be M,u ' Eih* 'es
treated by beam analogy alone since Mi ^ M2. If Mi = jl/ 2 and
The foregoing equations ma}' be combined and rearranged to
Rm of one flange equals Rm of the other, theory presently avail-
present all moments in terms of Mi:
able [2] would suffice notwithstanding that the flanges differ in
thickness. However, since h ^ t2, the total elongation of the /E2*/Ei* + ,S\
bolts must be apportioned between the flanges in such a manner as Ma = (5)
E22*/Ei*
\E */E} + 1/ ' 1
to match the deflection of each flange at the bolt circle.
The problem created by Mi ^ M 2 can be solved by considering M2b = Ma (6)
Mi to be comprised of two moments M a and Mi„. In a similar
manner, Mi is comprised of Mm and M2u. These changes are
reflected in Fig. 4(6). Beam analogy [2] can be used to calculate (7)
the effects of M a and My, if it is required that M a — M a . The
unbalanced portion of each moment (il/i„ and M 2 u ) can be con- QS - \)(E2*/EI-
sidered as producing rigid-body rotations only. If the unbalanced M2u = (8)
E2*/EI* +
moments are apportioned correctly, each flange will undergo the
same amount of rigid body rotation in the same direction which The slope of either flange at any radius is calculated using beam
means that the bolt stress and the flange-flange contact circle analogy [2] and the moments M a or M a ; then, the additional
are determined by Ma, Ma, and F. Thus, maximum use can be rigid-body rotation produced by Mlu or M2u is added to this value.
made of existing theory [2], The following equations can be Displacement of Free-Body Elements. F i g . 0 is a f r e e - b o d y dia-
written: gram of the bolted closure shown in Fig. 2. The existing theory
available for symmetrical configurations [2], plus the foregoing
Ma + Mia = Mi (1) modifications required to account for the unbalanced moments
are sufficient to write all of the compatibility equations.
Mih + M,„ = M2 (2) The counterclockwise change of slope of the cover flange at
Rm due to M a is calculated using beam analogy [2]; it is:
Mi = SMi (3)
6(1 -
In order for flanges to undergo the same amount of rigid-body (9)
Ec at,
rotation in the same direction, the unbalanced moments must be
in the proportion: The counterclockwise rotation due to Miu is [3]:

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 and t he outward radial deflection is [5]:
COVER
FLANGE ^ib f l u M\j

)) (
2R 2B2 2R 28
I X (Mt - Qtf/2) - (Q) + u. <21)
EJi EJi

Continuity Equations. Equations (11) or (12) and (13) are equaled

to express rotational continuity of the cover at radius R„,.
Similarly, equations (16) or (17) and (20) are equated to show
u
R
slope compatibility of the shell-flange and shell. Finally,
setting equation (18) or (19) equal to equation (21) shows that
JL the shell and its flange undergo identical, radial displacements.
Before the set of equations can be solved, all balanced and
unbalanced moments must be expressed in terms of M i (or M i )
; ^ ) using equations (3), (5), (6), (7), and (8). The resulting three
SHELL \Mlb-Qti/2 / /
FLANGE- equations will contain four unknowns, namely, il/i (or M*), S, Q,
B F and b. When the flanges pivot about their O.D., b is known
(6 = frninx) and 0zc and 03/ replace it as an unknown. The equa-
F
tions can be solved simply by assuming a value of b, or values of
03c and 03/ when b = 6 max , which eliminates the extra unknown.
When the flanges have the same O.D., which is usually the case,
03c and 03/ must be in the ratio 63c/03f = Eft//Ectc3 since the
balanced moments are equal (Ma = M->b). Subsequently, it
will be necessary to calculate the amount the bolts must be pre-
stressed in order to satisfy the assumption regarding b or 03.
A parameter study may be made b y performing a set of calcu-
lations for numerous values of b and 03, from which the general
relation between prestress and operating bolt load is readily
Fig. 5 Free-body diagram of blind cover to shell-flange combination
obtained. This is explained in detail in the two sections of the
paper which follow.
Required Prestress in Bolts. The theory presently avadable for
5.21 R,„MUl
(10) analyzing a "matched set" of flanges [2] can be used for calcu-
EctcHogw[(Rm + L)/Rm] lating the. amount of prestress required to yield the value as-
sumed for b or 03. It is necessary to modify the calculations
Therefore, the slope of the cover flange at R„, becomes:
slightly, however, since the theory applies to a pair of identical
(0o)ff,.: = Sic + 9C'] b < brnax (ID flanges where the elongation of (lie bolts is evenly distributed
between both flanges. When the flanges are different, their
(0e)S,„ = fl.r + 6,,' + 03c; b > bmnx (12) relative stiffness determines how the total elongation of a bolt is
The counterclockwise rotation of the central portion of the apportioned.
blind cover at R,„ is [4]: Consider two flanges <„ and t f having the same O.D. with
il/it and A / a acting at radius R,„; for example, the assembly
3(1 - v)Rm shown in Fig. 5. The total separation of the flanges at the bolt
4 M>) (13)
(«.)*.- ~gTi circle must equal the total bolt elongation, or:

The clockwise change of slope of the shell flange at R„, due to B

Vc + V/ = K - « (22)
il/ji, is calculated using beam analogy [2]; it is:

6(1 - v2) where yc is the upward deflection of the cover flange and yf the
(14) downward deflection of the other flange. Letting x be the frac-
ETAL/
tion of the total bolt elongation required to match the defleetion
The clockwise rotation due to AT-,,, is [3]: of the cover flange:

5.21 R m Mtu 2bcHl - v2)(Mlb + Ft)

(15) x(B/K - 5) (23)
' Erf logic \(Rm + L)/R„J

Therefore, the slope of the shell flange at R,„ becomes: 2b/ 2 (1 - v--)(M,b + Ft)
(1 - x) (.B/K - S) = (24)
E,atf«
(0/)*,,, = + d/; b < &,„„* (16)
where x is simply t/sEf/(t/E/ + tc3Ec).
{6f)i>m ~ On + 0 / + 0 3 / ; b > b max (17) Equations (2-3) and (24), respectively, reduce to:
An examination of equations (4), (10) and (15) will show that x EM* (K8 - F)bjlI
fif' = — 0J which, b.y the stated sign convention, represents equal 1 - (25)
211(^(1 - v2) F + Mv,/ C J
rigid body rotations in the same direction.
The outward radial deflection of the shell flange where it joins (1 - x)Eialf3 (KS - F)b,/f I
1 - (26)
the shell is [2]: 2KP(1 - v2) F + Ma/t J
Mi = IIA + KBQ + (0,/ + D/)T{/2; b < &,»„* (18) When b > b rnaxj the flanges have a slope of 03c and 0 3 / at. Rm +
t + due to the balanced loading only (plus an additional
Ml = KA + IIBQ + (0,/ + 6/ + 8sf)tf/2; b > &„„„ (19)
rotation of 0C' and 6 / , respectively as a result of the unbalanced
The clockwise rotation of the shell where it joins the flange is moments) and equations (25) and (26) become:
[5]:
xEcatc3 [K(5 + 03cWz) - F]bmax/(
2R 2fl2 4R 283 1 -
2K(3(1 - v--) F + Mu/t
"cul ~ " P (Q) ~ - ^ r r - (M t - Qty/2) (20)
EJi EJI
(27)

602 / AUGUST 19 6 9 Transactions of the A S M E

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 An alternative procedure may also be found useful, when the
\ t ) 2Kl\l - v1) designer is governed b y the restrictions of maximum allowable
bolt stress, and at the same time wishes to find the value of b
[K(S + 8vU(l - x ) - F ] b that will give a sufficiently high prestress to the bolts. This may
X (28) be done b y a slight rearrangement of equation (23) or (24), and
F + Ma/(
complete or partial neglect of Mu, or il/2i. (which are themselves
Since bc = bf = b, either equation (25) or (26) can be used for functions of b) in comparison with FC. A preliminary study of
calculating 5 when b < i m a s ; equation (27) or (28) is applicable symmetrical flanges of the metal-to-metal full-face contact type
when b > 6 m n l . The equations may be solved graphically using has indicated that such neglect has a relatively small effect on
Fig. 6. Connect the proper value on the ordinate for the cover the computed value of ff/, and may obviate the need for any ex-
(or flange) and the appropriate value on the curve marked b/t; tensive parametric study. This is especially true since the actual
extend the line and extract S from the number read off the ab- operating value of a> is subject to a rather wide range due to as-
scissa for the cover (or flange). The required prestress in the sembly conditions.
bolts becomes:
By definition, y = ' A and S = a,tc/Eb, so that B/K -
K A' AhjJ Cc
KS S = (<rs - cr^.JEt.
(29) Making this substitution in equation (23)
N'A

and this amount of prestress will yield the value assumed for b xatc(e(crB <7/) (E\
I
b .= , bc < b„ (32)
or 03c and 0 3 f. 2(1 - i»»)(jl/, 6 + Ft)
Ft) \Eb)'
Determining Operating Bolt Load. T h e o p e r a t i n g b o l t l o a d / b e a m is
The same substitutions in equation (24) will prove that bf = bc,
found using the free-body diagram of Fig. 5 and taking moments
due to the definition of x following equation (24), and the fact
about R. Either flange can be used since the unbalanced moments
that Mu, = M.lb. Having found b, the total operating bolt load
.l/i„ and M s „ cause equal amounts of rigid-body rotation in the
is calculated according to equation (30) or (31); the total pre-
same direction and thus do not affect the operating bolt load and
load is somewhat less than this in the ratio of <t 1 /(t b .
.1/K, = Msj. The equations for B become:
If bc > &mo.* according to equation (32), 6 max governs, and ten-
tative values of d3c and 63j- may be found by noting that equation
B = F + 0 + Mu, b < femax (30) (23) now becomes

2(fe,,,„,)3(M„ + Ft)( 1 - v2)

x(B/Ii - 5) = & c b ma * + (33)
EM*
B = i? ( l + - M + M16( — ) ; 6 > 6max (31)
\ Omax/ \Omax/ Making the same substitutions for B/K and 5 as before, noting
that bc = bf = bmax, and solving for EC63C, gives

Ec(c _ 2(1 - I>*)bMAX(MLB + Fl)

EC63C = x(AB - <r7) (34)
EJlmax Cltcs
t t h — r ^ !.8_ A similar manipulation of equation (24) gives a formula for
Efdt/. As previously stated, the calculations necessarily make
- . :i i i ' bc = bf; however, it will lie found that, for unsymmetrical
E,t -3
-i.7" r flanges, 03e = 03f.
'Jijc
OR WHEN b>bm
Calculation of Stresses. The pertinent stresses are found using
-1.6 the following formulas, and with the exception of <yh all occur at
| the design pressure:
Initial bolt stress:
-1.5 KS
' i <7/ (35)
N'A
I
•y 1.4
/ I Operating bolt stress:
i 1
1.3
i
J_ (36)

fti N'A

M
— 1.2-
Longitudinal stress in shell:
I i
F 6(il/, - Qtf/2)
(37)
-1.0 1 hi
!
r °- 9 • Circumferential stress in shell:
/—0.8 - • -
-0.7 I i
(outside surface)
t —o.6 -0.5
2 r „ 3i/(M. - QUI2) „„„
0 I 3 4 5 F + (Mo - Qtf/2)P2R,n - ^ , ' - OPR.
h h
F + Mlb/J (38)
K i _ F on WHEN ,>,MAX K ( T . , K B M I T / X ) _ F

Circumferential stress in shell:

(inside surface)
F*Mlb/£
OR WHEN b>bm
Kt-F
/• + (M-2 - Q T F M , + ~ - QFIRM

Fig. 6 Curve for finding 5 (39)

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 Radial stress in shell Tangential stress in cover flange:
(adjacent, to shell) (at bolt circle)

6 Mt
(40) (T Tl = =t
r ecim<u + B.')
+ 6 < bra ax (47 a )
L 2(R„ + 1 )

Tangential stress in shell flange: Ectc(9ic + e3c + ec')

(adjacent to shell) CT2 = ± + vffRt*~^; b > bmax (47b)
2 (Rm + t)
Ejl/(dif + 8/)
+ v<Tm* ; Stress at center of cover:
- f (<• + r ' - 2 R„,
PRm2( 3 +
b < fcraai (41a) <?R = = ± ^ - 2J*] (48)
12
'E(tf{eu + e3f + 0/)
• V(TRC where:
2 Rm
6b*(B - F)(f")( 1 - v2)
b > bmai (41b) ; b <bn (49a)
E,at/
Radial stress in shell flange:
(at bolt circle) 6(bmax)2(B - F)(]")( 1 - »')
— : b = oB (49b)
E,atf S
TR2 =
1/ \1 - NdJ
6b2(B - f)(/")(l - ; b < bmax (50a)
Rm + L
Ft + M.a Rm + t
X + (Miu) (42)
(R,n + t)/Rm Rm + LV 6(b m a s ) 2 (B - F ) ( / " ) ( l - v 2 ) ; b = bmas (50b)
EmU
R„

Tangential stress in shell flange:

(at bolt circle)
Discussion and Conclusions
'The paper for the design of symmetrical configurations [2]
gave a few simple formulas for approximating an adequate flange
thickness and the required amount of bolting. A t this time, it is
not obvious how to provide similar formulas for unsymmetrical
'Efif(8lf + e/) configurations, such as the one shown in Fig. 2, due to the manner
+ VUri * ;& < t/max (43a) in which a pair of flanges interact. It was implicit in the same
L 2 (Rm + ()
paper that only small advantages could be expected by using a
tapered hub on flat face flanges. This generalization is no
<m = — iP +
d
r longer valid in the case of unsymmetrical configurations.
comprehensive investigation of a configuration of the type shown
A

in Fig. 2 revealed:
Eftftfv + A>/ + e/')
+ VCR*. * ; b > b max (43b) 1 The cover is capable of turning the mating shell flange
2 (Rm + 0
"inside out" over its full width when the ratio of the flange stiff-
Radial stress in cover flange: nesses is of the order of 4 : 1 as it was in the case under consider-
(at RJ ation. Specifically, the shell flange underwent a negative rota-
tion; for the cover flange a counterclockwise rotation is posi-
6 Mi tive, whereas, for the shell flange a clockwise rotation is positive.
trm = ± - (44)
2 Increasing the prestress in the bolts causes a reduction in
the bearing circle, that is, b becomes less. This is also the case
Tangential stress in cover flange: for symmetrical configurations.
(at RJ 3 Increasing the prestress in the bolts causes an increase in
Mi, Mi, crB, <jh, and the amount by which the shell flange is
'Ectc(6u + 6/) turned "inside out." At low values of prestress, it is possible for
&T I = + J'CTBI* J; b < (45a)
2 Rm the shell flange to have a negative slope at its O.D. and a positive
one at the shell flange junction.
Ectc(dic + e3c + e/)
0> 1 + vgri* ; b > b max (45b) 4 In general, most of the significant stresses decrease the
2R,„ lower the prestress in the bolts. However, flange separation at
the gasket increases and along with it the propensity for leakage
Radial stress in cover flange:
and gasket blowout. Also, the lower the prestress, the greater
(at bolt circle)
the difference between a , and <jb and the greater the propensity
for premature fatigue failures of the bolts.
5 Results obtained using plate and shell theory exclusively
compared very favorably with analyses based on the method
Rm + LV- described in this paper. The greatest differences appeared in il/ 2
- 1 and Q with the differences decreasing with increasing values of
Ft + Mlb , \Rm + t
X + (Mu) (46) 0/. Nevertheless, agreement was better than required over
(Rm + t)/Rm the entire range of prestress.
The configuration which was studied extensively is defined by
the following parameters:
* Use the positive value if the radial stress is tensile on back face
of flange, otherwise, use negative value. R„ 10.00 in.

602 / AUGUST 19 6 9 Transactions of the A S M E

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 Tabl e 1 Comparison of proposed method with plate and shell theory

ASSUMED VALUE OF b AND

°3
CALCULATED VALUE OF THE b=1.50 in. b - l.l0 in . b a O.80 in .
ItIDICATED PARAMETER 83f=0.000544 rad. 8 3 £",0 rad . 03f-0 rad.
°3c=0 . 000137 rad. 8 3c =0 rad. 8 3c =0 rad.

0[, psi 0 22 , 300 31,200

OS , psi 21 , 000
(21,000)
26 , 900 33,800
(33,800)

M , 1b-in/iI1. 266 356 375

1
(242) (329) ( 340)

:.1 2 , 1b-in/in . 86 189 213

(143) (231) (238)

0, 1b/in. 72 116 12 9
(97) (137) (139)

Flange rotation at 00, radians -0 . 00247 -0.00282 -0.00273

(-0.00255) ( -0 .00279) (-0.00259)

Flange rotation at BC, radians -0.00 14 3 -0 . 00195 -0.00208

(-0.00153) (-0 .00 199 ) (-0.00 202 )

Flange rotation at Rm, radians -0.000018 -0. 000227 -0.00032

(-0.000166) (-0.00038 5 ) (-0.00040)

Cover rotation at 00 , radians 0.00317 0 . 00282 0.00273

(0.00290) (0.00258) (0.002 5 9)

Cover rotation at BC, radia n s 0.00343 0.00304 0.00289

(0.00330) (0.00292) (0.00287)

Cover rotation at Rm, radians 0.003 78 0.00346 0.00333

( 0.00385) (0.00352) (0.00348)

c 1.50 in. W. R. i\likeseU and J . A. Mot,tmm . At t he ti me the paper was

1.50 in. prepared, t he member. hip con: isted of L. M. Cas:idy, D. B. Lee,
W. R . Mikesell, J. A. Motlram, R. Bamsdell, H. Ihu t" It W.
0 .000 in . Schneider, E. O. Water,', and D . B. Wesst rom. The assistance
0 .568 ill. given by C. F . L arson, Jr. , Execntive 'ecretary of PVRC, was
co nsidel'llble. Fina lly, t he aut-hoI'S nre indebted to L. i\I. Ca, sidy
a .277 bolts/ in . of circumference
who made the many plate and : hell calcul at ions of a parti ul ar
2.40 in. configlu'at ion for compari:'on with re. ult. obtained by the met hod
A 0.162sqi n. described in this paper.

11 0 .500 in.
References
30 X 10 6 p i 1 Larson, C. F., "pvn ' Research on Topics Proposed by
p 100 psi A ME, " We/dino Jo II 1'/Ial , Vol. 45, No.2, 1966, Research Supple-
ment, pp. 49-s to 5'1-s.
2 Schneider, R. \\'., "Flat Face F langes Wit,h )Ietlll-to-)Ietnl
The res ul t. of some of the calcula[.ions made accordin g to the Contact Beyon d t he Bolt Circle," JOIIl"llal of Elluin ecr'illO for POlVer,
pl'Ocedl1l'e described in this paper are shown in Table 1; the TRANS. ASME, Series A, Vol. 90, No.1, J an. 1968, pp, 82-88.
va lues in parenLheses were obtained using plate and shell t.beory. 3 Water., E. 0 ., llossheim , D . B ., Wesstrom, D . B., and Will iam s,
The effect. of t he bolt holes wa: disregal'ded which is equiva lent. F. S. G., " Development of Cenem l Form ulllS for Bolted F langes,"
Appendix WA, Taylor Forge and Pipe Works, Chicago, Ill inois.
to setting i, /" and 1" eq ual lo unity. 4 Hoark, R . J ., "Formulas for Stress and Strain ," nIcGraw-Hill,
Cer ta in adjlu tments wel'e made in plate t heol'Y in Ol'der to ew York, 1943, Table X .
hand le t.he ana ly. es when b became less than bon"x aL highel' va lues 5 Timoshenko, S., "Theory of Pla tes nn d Shells," M cGraw-H ill ,
of pl'e:;tl'ess. Due to the difficul ty of u:ing plate t heory to find Ne\\' York, 1940, pp. 389- 395.
b, when b < bon"x, beam analogy was developed for the a nalysis of
sy mmetl'i cal con fi gurations [21. Beam ana logy was then ex-
tended in thi: papel' fol' t he a nalysis of unsymmetl'ical, axisym-
metri c, fla t fa ce fl a nges.
It should be obvious t.hat t he meLhod described in detail for
t he closll\'e shown in Fig. 2 is a ppli cable to otber situaLions. If
the bli nd cover is replaced by a reducing fl ange, an an nular
plate anci a shell must be subsLit utecl fol' Lhe cil'cular plate of
rad ius R", in Fig. 5. C01'l'espondin g change: mu:;t t hen be made
in t he co ntinuiLy equations; two additiona l equations with two
unknown s will I'esult,.

Acknowledgments
The readers' a tten tion is cu lled to the Introduction concerning
committees involved wiLh flat. face f1 unges. The nuLhors are
appreciative of the support a nd suggestions olTered by t he co-
operating subcom mi ttees and, in pnl'ticular, to theil' cha irmen,

Journal of Engineering for Industry AUG U S T 1 969 / 621

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