STRESS-ANALYSIS OF V-SHAPED EXPANSION JOINTS UNDER INTERNAL-PRESSURE

A composite shell type, V-shaped expansion joint is analysed for the m embrane and bending stresses induced in circumferential as well as mer idian directions under internal pressure loading. The expansion joint consists of a toroidal shell of positive curvature, a conical shell an d a toroidal shell of negative curvature, framing into a circular cyli ndrical pipe. Bending theory of shells of revolution has been used for the analysis. Toroidal shell elements have been analysed using Clark' s asymptotic solution: Numerical results for eight different geometrie s of the expansion joint are evaluated using a FORTRAN computer progra m. The variations of stresses along the meridian of the composite shel l are plotted for different shell geometries. The maximum values of th e stresses and their locations on the meridian are tabulated. It has b een established that the meridional bending stress is the maximum of t he four stresses for all geometries of the joint, and hence governs th e design of V-shaped expansion joints under internal pressure loading. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.