I want to understand how CAESAR II uses the flexibility factor ? I know that the flexibilty factor of a component is defined as the length of straight pipe having the same flexibilty as the component divided by the centerline length of the component. But how is it actually used ? Are there any equations that make use of it ?

Regards,
delpilar

The fexibility factor for tees is 1.0, so this has no effect on the overall stiffness of the piping system.

The flexibility factor for bends is defined in B31.1/B31.3 in Appendix D. This value is used in the generation of the local element stiffness matrix for the bend.

Thank you for your prompt response Mr.Richard.
The stiffness of a straight pipe is given by AE/L,would it be AE/(flexibilty factor x centerline length) for bends ?

Regards,
Homer

Not that simplistic way.

The flexibilities apply to bend flexibilities only and remember that L/AE is an axial flexibility.Terms like L/4EI and L/2EI are bend flexibilities.

Actually the flexibility factors of B31 modify ( incresase) the flexibility co-officients of the flexibility matrix and as you know that inverse of flexibility matrix is what is known as stiffness matrix, so that is the way these factors are used in pipe stress analysis programmes.

I would advise you to go through a COADE NEWSLETTER atricle on this subject. I cannot remember the particular issue which featured this article, but scan the newsletter section a little and you should get it.

Regards

As a beginner in this field of stress engineering, and as a first time user of CAESAR II, I find this forum really helpful. Thanks Mr. Anindya, I will look for that article.

Regards,

Homer