Abstract
A class of self-reinforcing outlets addressed to a wide variety of plants and pipelines is analyzed in this paper in order to examine computer simulation in comparison with bursting tests commonly adopted in industry. Based on a specific pre-processor for mesh generation, finite element analysis is performed on a workstation by a software package suitably accounting for both geometrical and material nonlinearities. Besides stress distribution visualization, high-resolution post-processor capability allows to predict, with sufficient accuracy, plastic strain trend in critical area. This may provide, on the one hand, a powerful tool in view of anticipating proof testing results and, on the other hand, a useful guideline for design purposes in view of a more rational material usage and joint configuration, paying particular attention to the overall structural reliability and performance.
