Journal article 816 views 233 downloads
Analysis of a HDPE flanged connection with a time and temperature dependent constitutive behavior
International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping, Volume: 191, Start page: 104375
Swansea University Author:
Feras Korkees
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.ijpvp.2021.104375
Abstract
High density polyethylene (HDPE) piping systems are used extensively in both industrial and societal infrastructure. However, their performance is sometimes impacted due to leakage through flanges, especially HDPE pipes with large diameters. Many factors affect leakage, including stress relaxation i...
| Published in: | International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping |
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| ISSN: | 0308-0161 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2021
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56458 |
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| Abstract: |
High density polyethylene (HDPE) piping systems are used extensively in both industrial and societal infrastructure. However, their performance is sometimes impacted due to leakage through flanges, especially HDPE pipes with large diameters. Many factors affect leakage, including stress relaxation in the HDPE material and ambient temperature effects. Hence, this study investigates the effect of temperature on the leakage of a HDPE flanged connection with steel backing rings. It incorporates the effects of stress relaxation and temperature on the HDPE material and assesses the degradation of performance of the connection with time by means of finite element analysis (FEA). The temperature and time dependent mechanical properties of the HDPE material are determined experimentally through tensile, compression and relaxation testing conducted at various temperatures under isothermal conditions. The constitutive behavior of the HDPE material is modeled using the nonlinear visco-elastic plastic three network model (TNM), which predicts the mechanical behavior of HDPE markedly well. The calibrated TNM is used in the FEA study to investigate the leakage performance of the HDPE connection at various temperatures (23, 40, 60 and 80 °C) at isothermal conditions over a service time of one year. The FEA results reveal that the flanged connection can experience leakage at all temperatures due to insufficient bolt preload. It is also found that leakage occurs prematurely as temperature increases. To simulate a realistic scenario resembling an above ground piping system, an annual temperature profile for a selected geographic location was prescribed to the model to simulate leakage over a one year period. Based on the results, several bolt re-torqueing plans were explored and suggestions are made on the best bolt re-torqueing practice for preventing leakage over the service life of the HDPE connection. |
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| Keywords: |
Bolted flange, HDPE, Three network model, Flanged connection, FEA, Temperature, Leakage, Torque |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Start Page: |
104375 |