Stresses in Branched Pipes under Internal Pressure

Abstract

The frozen stress photo-elastic technique was employed to determine the elastic stresses in T-shaped branched pipes. All branches had the same ratio of inner diameter to outer diameter as the main pipes and this ratio varied from 1/6 to 1/1 1/2. The ratio of branch diameter to main pipe diameter varied from 1/4 to 1. The peak stresses measured in 21 models of plain intersections showed no significant changes due to variation of branch diameter. External reinforcements in the form of collars, ‘Blair triforms’ and horseshoes were shown to be effective. Internal chamfers and counter-bores also reduced the peak stresses in thick pipes.