Limit and plastic collapse loads for un-reinforced mitred bends under pressure and bending

Approximate limit and plastic collapse load solutions for un-reinforced mitred bends under internal pressure and under bending are proposed in this paper, based on three-dimensional finite element analysis and approximate solutions for smooth bends. Solutions are given for single- and multi-mitred bends (mainly for single and double segmented bends) with the pipe mean radius-to-thickness ratio (r/t) ranging from r/t = 5 to r/t = 50, and the bend radius-to-mean radius ratio (R/r) from R/r = 2 to R/r = 4. Internal pressure, in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending loads are considered, but not their combination. It is found that the essential features of limit and plastic collapse loads for mitred bends are similar to those for smooth bends, and thus existing solutions for smooth elbows can be used to construct limit loads and plastic collapse for mitred bends.

► This paper presents approximate limit/collapse load solutions for un-reinforced mitred bends.
► Internal pressure, in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending loads are considered.
► The essential features of limit/collapse loads for mitred bends are found to be similar to those for smooth bends.
► Existing limit/collapse load solutions for smooth elbows can be used for mitred bends.