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Keywords: Finite Element Method, Hot Spot Stress, Tubular Joint, Stress
Concentration Factor, Parametric Equations
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22 Hot Spot Stress Determination for a Tubular T-Joint under Combined Axial and Bending Loading
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The Hellier, Connolly and Dover (HCD) equations [8] which occurs at the brace/chord intersection, to the
were published in 1990. nominal stress of the brace [10].
These equations prilimary developed to improve Generally, stress concentration factors (SCFs) may be
fracture mechanics estimates of remaining life for a derived from finite element analysis (FEA); model tests
joint rather than designing a tubular joint. or empirical equations based on such methods. Each
Consequently the overall program included not only method has it’s own advantages and disadvantages. The
HSS estimates, but also modeling of the stress finite element method is ideally suited for estimation of
distribution around the brace chord intersection and the SCFs in complex geometries.
proportions of bending to axial stress through the When deriving SCFs using FE analysis it is possible to
member thickness. The Lioyd’s Register (LR) equations use shell elements, volume (solid) elements to present
[9] were developed as a part of the “SCFs for simple the weld region (as opposed to thin shell elements) or
tubular joints” project which was largely funded by the combined shell and solid elements.
“Health and Safety Executive” (HSE), in 1991. Considering Fig(3), The SCFs can be derived by
Parametric equations mentioned above are mainly based extrapolating stress components to the relevant weld
on the finite element analysis using shell elements. toes and combining these to obtain the maximum
Therefore, if in the finite element analysis of tubular principal stress and hence the SCF. Note that as shown
joints, shell elements are employed, more consistent in Fig (3), the stress distribution changes rapidly near
results will be obtained comparing to the usage of solid the weld toe and extrapolation distances must be the
elements. Owing to limitations and difficulties for HSS same as the distances shown in Fig (3) to prevent
estimation of tubular joints and complex geometrical significant errors during determination of SCFs.
nature of most tubular joints, finite element method may The extrapolation direction should be normal to the
be considered as one of the most efficient numerical weld toes as shown in Fig(3). If thin shell elements are
methods for performing stress analysis on tubular joints. used, the results should be interpreted carefully since no
The major concern of this paper is calculation of stress single method is guaranteed to provide consistently
concentration factors in pure axial loading and in-plane accurate stresses. The extrapolation shall be based on
bending followed by the estimation of peak HSS the surface stress, i.e. not the midline stress for shell
magnitudes and locations at the brace/chord intersection models. The surface stress is to be based on average
under combined axial loading plus in-plane bending. nodal stress [11].
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24 of SID Hot Spot Stress Determination for a Tubular T-Joint under Combined Axial and Bending Loading
It should be noted that the finite element results are methods such as American Petroleum Institute API
derived for chord side. Figures (6) and (7) show the RP2A code may be employed. This method is used in
results of SCF calculations in axial and IPB loading by offshore industry to estimate the peak HSS in combined
extrapolating the maximum principal stresses normal to loading using an elastic superposition procedure. The
the weld toe as supposed earlier. Referring to Fig (3), associated equation is as follows[2]:
distances for linear extrapolation must lie within the
0.2 RBTB to 0.41 / 4 RBTB RCTC , in this case 8.94 mm to 21.27 Peak HSS=
mm. From the previous results reported in Table (1), SCF F + (SCF F )2 + (SCF F )2
and comparing them to the finite element results, it can AX AX IPB IPB OPB OPB
be seen that there is a good agreement between the Where SCF , SCF , SCF are stress concentration factors
AX IPB OPB
results of FEM and parametric equations. in axial, in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending
respectively and FAX , FIPB , FOPB are the nominal brace
6. Hot Spot Stress Determination Using stresses in axial, in-plane bending and out-of-plane
Parametric Equations and API RP2A CODE bending respectively. The obtained results using this
As mentioned before, for estimation of the peak hot spot method are given in Table (2).
stresses, in the case of combined loading, some special
7. Hot Spot Stress Distribution Around the exact location of the critical point depends on non-
Brace/Chord Intersection Supported by dimensional geometric parameters β ,γ [12].
FEM In this case the peak HSS occurs approximately at
Figures 8 to 11 show the distribution of the hot spot 50o from the crown. In the case of combined
stresses around the brace/chord intersection under loading, the peak HSS location varies between the
axial, IPB, combined loading at fixed axial loading crown and the saddle, depending on the ratio of axial
and combined loading at fixed IPB loading to bending loading.
respectively. In each figure, the peak locations on This fact is drawn in fig (10). But in fig (11), that the
the curves indicate to the peak hot spot stresses. bending component of the combined load is set to a
These critical points are circled in the figures. Fig fixed value, this dependency is not significant and
(8) shows the HSS distribution at the brace/chord
the critical point location is almost independent of
intersection under pure axial loading.
the ratio of nominal axial to bending stress of the
As a general rule, for these types of tubular joints,
brace.
the critical point is always located at the saddle point
[2]. This note is confirmed in fig (8). Fig (9) shows Finally a comparison between the peak HSS results
the HSS distribution at the brace/chord intersection obtained from API and those obtained from FEM are
under pure axial loading. The critical point for these presented in Table (2) and it can be seen that the
joints under IPB loading is located somewhere FEM results reasonably are in good agreement with
different from saddle or crown, approximately API code procedure, especially in high ratios of
midway between the saddle and the crown. But the axial to bending loading.
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M.. Haghpanahi
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Fig. 6. Hot Spot Stress at The Brace/Chord Fig.7. Hot Spot Stress at The Brace/Chord
Intersection Intersection
Table. 2. A Comparison Between The Peak HSS Results Obtained From API and FEM
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26 of SID Hot Spot Stress Determination for a Tubular T-Joint under Combined Axial and Bending Loading
Fig. 8. Peak Hot Spot Stress Distribution Around The Brace/Chord Intersection
Fig. 9. Peak Hot Spot Stress Distribution Around The Brace/Chord Intersection
Fig. 10. Peak Hot Spot Stress Distribution Around The Brace/Chord Intersection
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an H. Pirali 27
Fig. 11. Peak Hot Spot Stress Distribution Around The Brace/Chord Intersection
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28 of SID Hot Spot Stress Determination for a Tubular T-Joint under Combined Axial and Bending Loading
elements in analysis and design, vol. 20, pp. 127-138, wind turbines and support structures”, Det Norske
1995. Veritas (DNV), Denmark A/S, 2003.
[12] http://www.galbraithconsulting.co.uk/iso/19902/
[11] Jan, Behrendt Ibs φ , “ Fatigue design of offshore iso/19902/ Clause _16_CD.PDF.
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