ANSI Flange Loading Calculations

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AutoPIPE Reference Information

ANSI Flange Loading Calculations
AutoPIPE has the ability to perform a flange loading check for standard ANSI B16.5 and B16.47 flanges to verify that the effective pressure calculated from the combined load of operating pressure and external loads is less than or equal to the maximum allowable pressure at a given temperature. The data required to check the loading on a flange are nominal rating, material, operating temperature, gasket load reaction diameter, external axial force, and external moment. The flange operating temperature and pressure are assumed to be the same as the pipe to which it is attached. External forces and moments are calculated by the program for each analyzed load case at the flange point. The gasket load reaction diameter is determined from the gasket inside diameter, and the effective width data. In addition, the program has access to the EQUIP.LIB library which contains the following data for the standard ANSI B16.5 and 16.47 flanges:
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Materials in Table 1A (Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3). Pressure -temperature rating tables (Table 2-75, Table 2 -150, Table 2-300, Table 2 -400, Table 2-600, Table 2900, Table 2-1500, Table 2-2500). Gasket materials and construction Figure E1 from ANSI B16.5. Gasket dimensions Tables E1, E2A, E2B, E3A, and E3B from ANSI B16.5, and Tables 7 and 8 from ANSI B16.21.

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The flange external loads are converted to an equivalent pressure and added to the operating pressure to calculate the total flange pressure. The equivalent pressure for external moment and force can be calculated according to B31.7, Nuclear piping code Par 1-704.5(a), as follows:

where: M F G = = = External bending moment External axial force (tension only) Diameter at location of gasket load reaction

Effective flange pressure = P operating + Peq The flange loading check essentially involves determining the effective pressure in the flange due to operating pressure and external moment and force loads, and comparing it with the allowable pressure in the Table 2 of the ANSI B16.5 and 16.47. If the effective pressure is greater than the allowable pressure, then the flange is operating beyond its rated capacity. When the effective pressure is greater than the allowable pressure, the program will automatically increase the pressure rating to the next highest and perform the flange loading check again. This procedure is repeated until either the effective pressure is less than the allowable pressure, or the highest pressure rating is reached.

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\Bentley\AutoPIPE%202004\apx.chm::/flange/... 25.01.2007