An overview of the mechanical behavior of steel pipe (elbows) is offered, based on previously reported analytical solutions, numerical results, and experimental data. The behavior of pipe bends is characterized by significant deformations and stresses, quite higher than the ones developed in straight pipes with the same cross section. Under bending loading (in-plane and out-of-plane), the main feature of the response is cross-sectional ovalization, which influences bending capacity and is affected by the level of internal pressure. Bends subjected to cyclic in-plane bending exhibit fatigue damage, leading to base metal cracking at the elbow flank. Using advanced finite-element tools, the response of pipe elbows in buried pipelines subjected to ground-induced actions is also addressed, with emphasis on soil–pipeline interaction. Finally, the efficiency of special-purpose finite elements for modeling pipes and elbows is briefly discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
August 2016
Research-Article
Mechanical Behavior of Steel Pipe Bends: An Overview
Spyros A. Karamanos
Spyros A. Karamanos
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Thessaly,
Volos 38334, Greece
e-mail: skara@mie.uth.gr
University of Thessaly,
Volos 38334, Greece
e-mail: skara@mie.uth.gr
Search for other works by this author on:
Spyros A. Karamanos
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Thessaly,
Volos 38334, Greece
e-mail: skara@mie.uth.gr
University of Thessaly,
Volos 38334, Greece
e-mail: skara@mie.uth.gr
Contributed by the Pressure Vessel and Piping Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF PRESSURE VESSEL TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received July 21, 2015; final manuscript received October 11, 2015; published online April 28, 2016. Assoc. Editor: Chong-Shien Tsai.
J. Pressure Vessel Technol. Aug 2016, 138(4): 041203 (15 pages)
Published Online: April 28, 2016
Article history
Received:
July 21, 2015
Revised:
October 11, 2015
Citation
Karamanos, S. A. (April 28, 2016). "Mechanical Behavior of Steel Pipe Bends: An Overview." ASME. J. Pressure Vessel Technol. August 2016; 138(4): 041203. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4031940
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
On the possibility of extending the crack length criterion in the master curve methodology
J. Pressure Vessel Technol
Investigation of Fracture Prediction Capability of XFEM and FEM using SENT Specimens
J. Pressure Vessel Technol
The Behavior of Elbow Elements at Pure Bending Applications Compared to Beam and Shell Element Models
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (February 2025)
Related Articles
Failure of Locally Buckled Pipelines
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (May,2007)
A Failure Assessment Method for a Pipe Bend Subjected to Both a Bending Moment and Internal Pressure
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (November,2006)
The Influence of the Initial Ovality Tolerance on the Nonlinear Cycling Analysis of Piping Bends
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (August,2009)
Lateral Loading of Internally Pressurized Steel Pipes
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (November,2007)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Pulsation and Vibration Analysis of Compression and Pumping Systems
Pipeline Pumping and Compression Systems: A Practical Approach, Second Edition
Pulsation and Vibration Analysis of Compression and Pumping Systems
Pipeline Pumping and Compression System: A Practical Approach, Third Edition
Analysis of Components: Strain- and Deformation-Controlled Limits
Design & Analysis of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Components in the Creep Range