Linear three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on bolted pressure vessel joints to determine maximum stresses and stress concentration factors in the bolt head fillet as a result of the prying action. The three-dimensional finite element models consisted of a segment of the flanges containing one bolt, using cyclic symmetry boundary conditions. The flanges were each 20 mm in thickness with 901.7 mm inner diameter. The outer flange diameter was varied from 1021 to 1041 mm in steps of 5 mm. The bolt circle diameter was varied from 960.2 to 980.2 mm in steps of 5 mm. The bolts used were 16-mm-dia metric bolts with standard head and nut thickness. The threads were not modeled. The internal vessel pressure was 0.6895 MPa (100 psi). Stress concentration factors in the bolt head fillet were calculated, and they ranged from 3.34 to 4.80. The maximum stress in the bolt as well as the stress concentration factors in the bolt head fillet increase with an increase in bolt circle diameter for a given outer flange dimension. Keeping the bolt circle diameter constant, bolt stress and stress concentration factors in the bolt head fillet decrease with increase in outer flange diameter. The maximum stresses in the bolt were also calculated according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the Verein Deutscher Ingenieur (VDI) guidelines and compared to the results observed through finite element analysis. The stresses obtained through FEA were larger than those predicted by the ASME and VDI methods by a factor that ranged between 2.96 to 3.41 (ASME) and 2.76 to 3.63 (VDI).
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
August 2001
Technical Papers
Bolt Head Fillet Stress Concentration Factors in Cylindrical Pressure Vessels
Terry F. Lehnhoff
Terry F. Lehnhoff
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO 65401-0050
Search for other works by this author on:
Gowri Srinivasan
Irving, TX 75063
Terry F. Lehnhoff
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO 65401-0050
Contributed by the Pressure Vessels and Piping Division and presented at the International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, the Winter Annual Meeting of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, Orlando, Florida, November 5–10, 2000. Manuscript received by the PVP Division, May 17, 2000; revised manuscript received April 20, 2001. Associate Editor: Y. W. Kwon.
J. Pressure Vessel Technol. Aug 2001, 123(3): 381-386 (6 pages)
Published Online: April 20, 2001
Article history
Received:
May 17, 2000
Revised:
April 20, 2001
Citation
Srinivasan, G., and Lehnhoff, T. F. (April 20, 2001). "Bolt Head Fillet Stress Concentration Factors in Cylindrical Pressure Vessels ." ASME. J. Pressure Vessel Technol. August 2001; 123(3): 381–386. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1379530
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
The Behavior of Elbow Elements at Pure Bending Applications Compared to Beam and Shell Element Models
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (February 2025)
Related Articles
Process Piping Design: A Century of Progress
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (August,2000)
Bolt Thread and Head Fillet Stress Concentration Factors
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (May,2000)
PVRC Task Group on Increased Allowable Stresses
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (February,2000)
A Stress Analysis of a Taper Hub Flange With a Bolted Flat Cover
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (August,1997)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
New Guidelines on Assessing the Risk of Fatigue Failure and Remaining Life of Ageing Pressure Vessels:
Ageing and Life Extension of Offshore Facilities
Background Information
Guidebook for the Design of ASME Section VIII Pressure Vessels, Third Edition
Background InformatIon
Guidebook for the Design of ASME Section VIII Pressure Vessels