Stress analysis of smooth curved tubes with flanged end constraints

A detailed experimental stress analysis programme is described on smooth pipe bends with flanged end constraints loaded under in-plane bending. A 335·6 mm (14 in) diameter steel pipe bend with special adjustable flange type constraints was extensively strain gauged and complete stress distributions were obtained for flanged bend angles of 90° and 180°. Two smaller 114·3 mm ($\text{4}\text{1}\text{2}\text{in}$) diameter flanged steel bends of 90° and 180° but different curvature were also tested.A theoretical development for the stresses in bends bounded by rigid flanges is described and results given for a complete range of geometries. Detailed comparisons are made between the theory and experiments and the agreement is good.