Análise estrutural por método de tensão elasto-plástico para a redução de massa em uniões flangeadas de válvulas do tipo esfera

Abstract

The Elastic-Plastic Stress Analysis of ASME VIII - Division 2 presents a more conservative and assertive method for protection against plastic collapse. This study makes use of this method to evaluate the structural integrity of two alternative valve flange models with the aim of reducing the mass of these components with great use in the industry. The goal of mass reduction leads to savings in the process of manufacturing them. To perform this analysis, the finite element method was used, simulating real conditions of the valve behavior. During the analysis, the preload value of the screws proved to be the most influential variable in the behavior of the material and resulting stresses. The proposed models presented inferior performance in comparison to the original geometry, but the results showed that both resisted partial loads that offer conditions of use. The proposed models offer considerable reduction of mass in relation to the original model and with this approval, are shown feasible alternatives for the production of a new flange geometry, providing less consumption of material and giving less weight to the component.