ON THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF TUBULAR JOINTS

Stresses in thin-walled tubular joints can be calculated with finite-element computer programs that employ "thin-shell" elements. Such a program, designated SATE, has been developed specifically with the object of determining stress distributions in complex tubular joints as generally encountered in the offshore industry. The program has been applied to several joint geometries and good agreement has been observed between experimental and calculated results. The program thus provides insight into the structural design of tubular joints. Using the SATE program, the influence of changes in design of both unstiffened and stiffened tubular joints on the stress-concentration factor has been studied. In this context, the current API recommendations for simple tubular joint design are discussed. Calculations have demonstrated that in the design of large tubular joints, allowance should be made for membrane action rather than for bending of the chord and brace walls. Such an approach leads to joints of low stress concentration. /AUTHOR/

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • VISSER, W
• Publication Date: 1975-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 391-399
• Serial:
  • ASME Transactions
  • Volume: 97B
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Deformation curve; Joints; Stresses; Structural design; Structural shells; Thinness; Tubular structures
• Old TRIS Terms: Joint; Membrane stress
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00097625
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 29 1975 12:00AM