Sensitivity and Reliability Analysis of Pipe Components

Abstract

In this dissertation, design of experiments (DOE) and finite element analysis (FEA) methods are employed in sensitivity study on B2 stress index of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code, Section III Equation 9 for elbow components. The effect on B2 index from loading condition, pipe size, pipe schedule, flange location, material type, temperature, pressure, bend angle and radius type are investigated using Latin Hypercube DOE method. Loading condition, pipe size, pipe schedule and material type are identified as most influential factors from DOE study. An analytical equation is constructed from FEA results to describe the relation between B2 and those four factors. First order reliability method (FORM), Monte Carlo sampling technique and finite element analysis are employed to conduct an ASME Code calibration on reliability of straight pipe components. The results are compared with those from a closed form solution.