F.E ANALYSIS OF TRI-CLAMP

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY:

The Tri-Clamp will be used under ASME VIII-1 service. This product cannot be calculated to code rules due to the complexity of its geometry. Instead the rules of ASME VIII-2 are used with ASME VIII-1 allowable stresses to determine its acceptability. Pressure inside the shell is 1500 psi and the model is restrained by applying a fixed support at the clamp.

INTRODUCTION:

Clamp Fittings:

A connection is made up of a plain ferrule, a clamp, and a gasket. Tees, elbows and reducers are available with Tri-Clamp connections. All three styles are in compliance with 3A standards for C.I.P. (clean in place).

The three types of clamp fittings are designed for use in Food, Dairy, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries.

Tri-Clamp connections are the industry standard, having nueter-style ferrules to simplify design and installation.

H-Line and HDI-Line male/female ferrules self-align during tightening so joints are quick and easy to assemble or take apart.

H-Line uses the same series of clamps as the Tri-Clamp

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INPUT DATA:

Material strength properties used in this report are obtained from ASME IID, Table 1A, and are suitable for VIII-1 components. The rules of ASME VIII-2 are used to set the stress limits.

Fig 1- Tri- Clamp Assembly 1) Clamp, 2) Ferrule, 3) Bolt, 4) Nut

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GEOMETRIC MODELING DATA:

Fig 2- Different section view of the Tri-Clamp

Table1: List of material used for Tri-Clamp

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METHODOLOGY:

CREATING A CAD MODEL :

CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) is a multi-

platform CAD/CAM/CAE commercial software suite developed by the French

company Systems. CATIA is the cornerstone of the Dassault Systems product lifecycle

management software suite.

The CAD model has been created in the workbench of the CATIA v5 software

according to the dimensions

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Creating a CAD Model

Importing CAD Model & Analysis

Static- Structural Analysis

Meshing

Applying boundary conditions and pressure on the inner shell.

Solve.

Results

Fig 3: CAD model of Tri-Clamp

MESHING:

ANSYS is a general purpose finite element modeling package for numerically solving a wide

variety of mechanical problems, used widely in industry to simulate the response of a physical

system to structural loading, and thermal and electromagnetic effects. ANSYS uses the finite-

element method to solve the underlying governing equations and the associated problem-

specific boundary conditions.

The CAD model is export to ANSYS by saving the cad model as .STP format.

MESHING THE GEOMETRIC MODEL:

The meshing of geometry was performed in ANSYS and as discussed earlier in the methodology. The meshing is carried out by using 3D tetrahedral elements having global mesh size of 1 inch, corresponding mesh details are as discussed below.

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Fig 4: Tri-Clamp after Meshing

Boundary conditions and loads:

Boundary conditions and loads are applied on the system as indicated below.

As per the problem statement the pressure force of 1500 psi is applied on the inner shell. Fixed support is applied on the one end of shaft which is connected to the motor.

For Static- Structural Analysis:

Apply fixed support at one end of the shaft which is connected to the motor as shown below:

As per the problem statement the pressure force of 1500 psi is applied on the inner shell.

Fig 5: Applying Boundary conditions and Fixed support

Solution:

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After applying boundary conditions and rotational velocity, the system is tuned for solution

where the software solves using mathematical models and differential equations.

Static structural Analysis:

Von-Mises stress:

The maximum equivalent Von-Mises stress value of Tri-Clamp is 13885 Psi and

minimum is 9.1717 Psi.

Fig 6: Von-Mises stress distribution along Tri-Clamp

Total Deformation:

The maximum total deformation value of Tri-Clamp is 0.00043443 inch and minimum

is 0 inch.

Fig 7: Total Deformation along Tri-Clamp

Conclusions:

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1. The equivalent von-mises stress distribution is obtained.

2. The maximum equivalent von mises stress obtained is 13885 Psi which is less than the

Permissible stress value of Clamps & Pipe caps 14800 Psi. Also less than permissible

stress value of bolts 25000 Psi.

3. The max deformation obtained is 0.00043443 inch.

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