IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.

4, Issue 03, 2016 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613

Finite Element Analysis of Gasketed Flange Bolted Joint

Pushpak Patel1 Bhavin Mehta2 Hardik Patel3
1,2,3
Assistant Professor
1,2,3
Department of Mechanical Engineering
1,2,3
Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa, Gujarat, India
Abstract— Gaskets play an important role in the sealing
A. Finite Element Model
performance of bolted flange joints. The use of gasket factors
plays an essential role in calculations for flanged joints. In
this paper, a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA)
of gasketed flange Bolted joint has been carried out. Finite
element analysis results are also verified with the available
ASME method and discussed.
Key words: Bolted Flange Joints, Gasket Factors, Finite
Element Analysis

I. INTRODUCTION
Flanged joints with gaskets are very common in pressure
vessel and piping systems, and are designed mainly for
internal pressure. These joints are also used in special
applications such as in nuclear reactors and space vehicles.
Prevention of fluid leakage is the prime
requirement of flanged joints.
Gaskets are used to create a static seal between two
stationary members of a mechanical assembly and to
maintain that seal under operating conditions which may
vary dependent upon changes in pressures and temperatures.
The investigation of flanged joints for ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII (1)
allowable stress compliance, flange rigidity and additional
investigation for gasket contact stress under all loading
conditions is necessary to confirm the leak tightness of the
assembly.
In order to ensure the maintenance of the seal
throughout the life expectancy of the assembly, sufficient
stress must remain on the gasket surface to prevent leakage.
The residual bolt load on the gasket should at all times be
greater than the hydrostatic end force acting against it. The
hydrostatic end force is the force produced by the internal
pressure which acts to separate the flanges. Internal Pressure
is exerted against both the flange and the gasket.
Fig. 1: Forces acting on a gasket Flange joint
II. SELECTION OF SOFTWARE FOR MODELING AND STRESS
ANALYSIS
The accurate result of the software analysis depends upon
the effectiveness and simplicity of analysis software
together with its speed and simple user interface. There for
among many options. Pro/ENGINEER is selected for
modeling and ANSYS is selected for stress analysis of
gasketed flange Bolted joint.
Fig. 2: Geometry of Flange Joint
B. Flange
B = Inside diameter of the flange = 406.4 mm
A = Outside diameter of the flange = 558.8 mm
t = Flange thickness = 44.45 mm
r = Hub radius = 9.525 mm
g0 = thickness of the hub at the small end = 19.05 mm
C. Gasket
GOD = Gasket OD = 450.85 mm
GID = Gasket ID = 412.75 mm
D. Bolting
C = bolt-circle diameter = 514.35 mm
Number of bolts = 16
For finite element modeling the simulation module of
program is used. Finite element programme divides the
element into a grid of ‘element’, which form a model of real
structure.
A finite model is complete idealization of the entire
structural problem, including the node locations, the
elements, physical and materials properties, loads and
boundary condition. The model is supposed to be defined
differently for different types of analysis: static structural
loads, dynamic or thermal analysis. The goal of finite
element model is not to make a model look like structure.
The purpose of finite element modeling is to make a model
that behaves mathematically like the structure modeled, not
necessarily one looks like real structure.
III. FINITE ELEMENTS MODELING AND STRESS ANALYSIS
It consists of three steps. Which are:
 Pre-processing
 Solution
 Post processing.
A. Pre-processing
This includes the entire process of developing the geometry
of a finite element model, entering physical and material
properties, describing the boundary conditions and loads and

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 Finite Element Analysis of Gasketed Flange Bolted Joint
(IJSRD/Vol. 4/Issue 03/2016/410)

checking the model. ‘CAD model’ generated with the help
of Pro/ENGINEER shown in fig.3.
B. Solution
The solution phase can be performed in the model solution
task of the simulation application, or an external finite
element analysis program.
C. Post processing
The post processing task of simulation application provides
tools to display and interpret the results after the solution is
finished. Results of Nodal Stress Joint Assembly for post
processing which is shown in fig.6.

Fig. 3: CAD Model (Pro/ENGINEER)

1) Meshing
Nodes and elements are generated by one of the two
methods, mapped mesh or free mesh. Here the free mesh is
used for meshing because of more flexibility in defining
mesh areas; it will automatically create by an algorithm,
which tries to minimize element distortion which is shown
in fig. 4.

Fig. 6: Equivalent Stress

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 presents calculated flange stresses as per ASME
Section - VIII Div I.
Flange Flange
Calculated
Seating Operating
Flange Symbol
Stresses Stresses
Stresses
(N/mm2) (N/mm2)
Longitudinal
SH 197.08 41.03
Hub Stress
Radial Flange
Fig. 4: Meshing SR 58.31 12.14
Stress
2) Boundary Condition Tangential
The boundary condition is applied to build analysis cases ST 47.35 9.92
Flange Stress
containing loads and restraint of the model in finite element Combined 0.5
analysis, which is shown in fig.5. 127.70 31.085
Stresses (SH + SR)
3) Operating Condition Combined 0.5
Internal Pressure = 0.6894 Mpa 122.22 25.475
Stresses (SH + ST)
Table 1:- Calculated flange stresses
Allowable flange stress (Sf) = 137 Mpa
As per ASME Section - VIII Div I:
The longitudinal-hub stress: SH < 1.5 Sf
The tangential-flange stress: ST < Sf
The radial-flange stress: SR < Sf
The combined stresses:
0.5(SH + SR) < Sf
0.5(SH + ST) < Sf

Fig. 5: Boundary Condition
V. CONCLUSION
By Finite element analysis, the stress at the Gasketed Flange
joint has studied. From the comparison of design
calculations as per ASME codes and Stress results obtained
from the F.E.A. analysis indicated that the flanged joint is
within acceptable levels.

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 Finite Element Analysis of Gasketed Flange Bolted Joint
(IJSRD/Vol. 4/Issue 03/2016/410)

REFERENCES
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