Vibration of mitred and smooth pipe bends and their components

Abstract

In this work, the linear vibration characteristics of 90o pipe bends and their cylindrical and toroidal shell components are studied. The finite element method, based on shear-deformation shell elements, is used to carry out a vibration analysis of metallic multiple 90o mitred pipe bends. Single, double, and triple mitred bends are considered, as well as a smooth bend. Sample natural frequencies and mode shapes are given. To validate the procedure, comparison of the natural frequencies is made with existing results for cylindrical and toroidal shells. The influence of the multiplicity of the bend, the boundary conditions, and the various geometric parameters on the natural frequency is described. The differential quadrature method, based on classical shell theory, is used to study the vibration of components of these bends. Regression formulas are derived for cylindrical shells (straight pipes) with one or two oblique edges, and for sectorial toroidal shells (curved pipes, pipe elbows). Two types of support are considered for each case. The results given provide information about the vibration characteristics of pipe bends over a wide range of the geometric parameters.