Hello Caesar users,

I am doing a manual calculation for Bend SIF from B31.3 Appendix S

Example. I don't usually do this since this is already programmed in any
piping stress analysis software. But when I compare my calculated results to
any piping stress analysis software they are not matching. I was tasked to do
some training to junior stress engineers, so for the sake of example I want to
do it manually. I don't know if I misinterpreted something in B31.3 Appendix
D formula for SIF calculation such as nomenclature interpretation & other
factors. Anyway, these are the parameters:

1. This is my manual calculation

DN400 (NPS 16)

D=406.4mm----------------------->Pipe OD
T=9.53mm------------------------>Nominal wall thickness
R1=1.5xNPS=1.5x16x25.4=609.6mm--->Bend Radius of Elbow
r2=(D-T/2)=198.435mm------------->mean radius of header pipe
h=TxR1/(r2)^2= 0.147537122------->Flexibility Characteristic
SIFin=0.9/(h)^(2/3)=3.223356229-->In plane SIF
SIFout=0.75/(h)^(2/3)=2.686130191-> Out plane SIF

2. This is taken from piping stress analysis softwares:

SIFin ~ 2.572
SIFout ~ 2.143

Please note that the SIF is taken from Stress Report for Expansion stress not
the sustained SIF.

I'm curious what did I miss in the formula or interpretation of appendix D for
long radius elbows.

Many Thanks in advance for the help.

Cheers,

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#62316 - 03/08/15 03:21 PM Re: Bend SIF Calculation (Manual Calculation Comparison) [Re: Borzki]

Richard Ay Did you apply the pressure correction, as specified in the "Notes"?
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Member Regards,
Registered: 12/13/99 Richard Ay
Posts: 5356
Loc: Houston, Texas, Intergraph CAS
USA

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#62322 - 03/09/15 09:04 AM Re: Bend SIF Calculation (Manual Calculation Comparison) [Re: Borzki]

Dave The Bend SIF utility will help here.

Diehl

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Dave Diehl

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#62325 - 03/09/15 09:41 AM Re: Bend SIF Calculation (Manual Calculation Comparison) [Re: Dave Diehl]
Borzki Thanks Dave & Richard.... Richard is right...I've calculated the pressure
Member correction factor for SIF to be 1.23078...I now get the right SIF upon dividing
Registered: 09/16/04 my calculated value above to this pressure correction factor...That is:
Posts: 194
Loc: Traz
SIFin=3.225/1.23078 ~ 2.6
SIFout=2.687/1.23078 ~ 2.18

I was thinking that note is for D/T > 100 (thin-walled elbows), but my
interpretation is incorrect because D/T value is not specified in that note. The
D/T in this case is (16/.375=43) which is a little bit higher than 40. From the
previous webinar of Tony Paulin, he cited this rule of thumb for D/T greater
than 40 as something to watch for in performing stress analysis.

Anyway my mind is now clear from the SIF calculation as per Appendix D of
B31.3 for bends & elbows..

Cheers!!!