On the stress assessment and verification of 3D finite element models

Book · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:136837

Neto, M M; Miranda, C A.J.; Cruz, J R.B.; Bezerra, L M ^[1]

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1. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Sao Paulo (Brazil)

The evaluation of components using three dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) does not generally fall into the shell type verification. Consequently, the demonstration that the modes of failure are avoided sometimes is not straightforward. Elastic rules, developed by limit load theory, require the computation of the shell type through wall membrane and bending stresses. How to calculate these stresses from 3D FEA is not necessarily self-evident. One approach to be considered is to develop recommendations in a case-by-case basis for the most common pressure vessel geometries and loads based on comparison between the results of elastic and also plastic FEA. In this paper the case of a complex geometry -- lugs attached to a cylindrical pressure vessel wall -- is examined and discussed. This case is typically a three-dimensional (3D) configuration where it is not a simple task to check the requirements of the ASME code. From the comparison of the results of 3D elastic and elastic-plastic FEA some conclusions are addressed.

• OSTI ID: 136837
• Report Number(s): CONF-950740--; ISBN 0-7918-1344-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
DESIGN
FASTENERS
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE VESSELS
STANDARDS
STRESS ANALYSIS
THEORETICAL DATA
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS