Abstract
It is well known that, upon the application of an in-plane bending moment, the initially circular cross-section of a curved pipe tends to flatten and become approximately elliptical in shape making it much more flexible than an equivalent straight tube.
Mitred-bends exhibit similar properties though the behaviour is far more complex. A comprehensive study of a 90° single unreinforced mitred-bend having a radius/thickness ratio of 19 has been performed by means of a stress-probing method.
In order to make the work more complete, results have been obtained for a similar bend when subjected to out-of-plane bending and twisting moments.
Experimental measurements of stress and flexibility for each type of loading are discussed and certain modifications suggested to existing design procedures.
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