Flat oval duct deflection-finite-element analysis

摘要

Finite-element models were developed to predict the deformation of unreinforced spiral flat oval ducts when subjected to a range of positive/negative internal gauge pressures. The models included the effects of duct self-weight. Deflection predictions resulting from a linear analysis and a nonlinear analysis were contrasted. This study also compared finite-element model predictions to experimentally derived spiral flat oval duct deflections, as well as duct deformations derived from a curve fit analysis reported previously in the literature. Close agreement between these results was obtained, thereby corroborating the nonlinear finite-element models that were generated in this study. This investigation emphasized the importance of utilizing nonlinear finite-element modeling to estimate the deflection of spiral flat oval ducts.