68048

STRAIGHT PIPES UNDER INTERNAL PRESSURE

EFFECT OF INITIAL NON-CIRCULARITY ON MAXIMUM STRESS

1. NOTATION

a initial amplitude of circumferential waves (see Figure 1) m in

E modulus of elasticity of pipe material N/m2 lbf/in2

fn maximum circumferential stress in non-circular pipe N/m2 lbf/in2

f0 maximum circumferential stress in circular pipe, pR/t N/m2 lbf/in2

n number of circumferential waves (see Figure 1)

p uniform internal pressure N/m2 lbf/in2

R radius to mid-wall of undeformed pipe m in

t thickness of pipe wall m in

Poissons ratio

Both SI and British units are quoted but any coherent system of units may be used.

2. NOTES

The maximum stress in an initially non-circular pipe under internal pressure is given by

6a/t
fn = f 0 1 + ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ .
3 2 3 2
1 + 12pR ( 1 )/ [ Et ( n 1 ) ]

Provided that R/t > 5 this equation is accurate to within 10 per cent. The ratio f n f 0 is plotted against
pR3/Et3 for various values of n and a/t where Poisson's ratio is taken as 0.3.

It is assumed that the pipe is long, straight and unrestrained and that the stresses remain within the elastic
range. The pipe is of uniform thickness and deviations about the mean radius are of sinusoidal form. Under
pressure the initial amplitude a is reduced but the wave form remains the same.

Further data on the effect of geometrical inaccuracies on the maximum stresses in cylindrical pipes under
internal pressure may be located by reference to the Engineering Sciences Data Index.

Issued November 1968

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3. DERIVATION

1. HAIGH, B.P. An estimate of the bending stresses induced by pressure in a tube that is
not initially quite circular. Proc. Instn mech. Engrs, Vo1. 133, 1936.

4. EXAMPLE

It is required to find the maximum stress in a pipe of radius R = 1.25 in and thickness t = 0.05 in. The
modulus of elasticity of the material is 29 106 lbf/in2 and the working pressure is to be 1000 lbf/in2 .
Tolerances are such that an ovality in which the major and minor diameter are 2R + t and 2R t is permissible.

In this case n = 2

a = R ------------- = 0.5t .
2R t
and
2

Therefore from Figure 1 when

3 3
pR 1000 1.25 a
--------- = -------------------------------------- = 0.539 and --- = 0.5 ,
3 6 3 t
Et 29 10 0.05
fn
---- = 2.02 .
f0
pR 1000 1.25
Since f0 = ------ = ---------------------------- = 25 000 lbf/in2,
t 0.05
fn = 2.02 25 000 = 50 500 lbf/in2.

2
 68048

a a

102

101 4

3
3
pR
3
Et
2

100

10-1 0.5 0.75 1.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 a 4

t

3
a
t

0.25

2
fn
0.125 fo

0
1

FIGURE 1

3
 68048
THE PREPARATION OF THIS DATA ITEM

The work on this particular Data Item was monitored and guided by the Stress Analysis and Strength of
Components Committee which has the following constitution:

Chairman
Mr H.L. Cox National Physical Laboratory

Vice-Chairman
Mr G.P. Smedley Lloyds Register of Shipping

Members
Prof. J.M. Alexander Imperial College of Science and Technology
Mr A.J. Batchelor Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
Mr C.E. Day National Coal Board
Dr J.R. Dixon National Engineering Laboratory
Dr H. Fessler University of Nottingham
Mr N.E. Frost National Engineering Laboratory
Dr R.B. Heywood A. Macklow-Smith Ltd
Mr M.J. Kemper A.P.V. Company Ltd
Mr J. Spence University of Strathclyde
Mr J.V. Vint Davy and United Engineering Company Ltd.

The Item was accepted for inclusion in the Structures Sub-series by the Structures Committee which has
the following constitution.

Chairman
Prof. W.S. Hemp University of Oxford

Vice-Chairman
Mr F. Tyson Handley Page Ltd

Members
Mr H.L. Cox National Physical Laboratory
Mr K.H. Griffin College of Aeronautics
Mr N.F. Harpur British Aircraft Corporation (Filton) Ltd
Mr P.J. McKenzie Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd, Kingston
Dr G.G. Pope Royal Aircraft Establishment
Mr I.C. Taig British Aircraft Corporation (Preston) Ltd
Mr A.W. Torry Hawker Siddeley Aviation Ltd, Hatfield.

The Members of staff concerned were:

Mr A.G.R. Thomson Head of Mechanics of Solids Group

Mr M.E. Grayley Senior Engineer, Mechanics of Solids Group
Mr S.E. Dutton Mechanics of Solids Group.