Finite element study of keyed backing ring design for floating head

摘要

This paper examines the design procedure for a single split backing ring used in a heat exchanger floating head. The present design procedures per established design codes are considered by many designers as too conservative, and hence finiteelement analysis was used to investigate this problem. The study only concentrated on keyed backing ring per BS 5500 Code Case 36. The study showed that the present design procedure is not precise but modifications could be made so that the approach usedby BS5500 Code Case 36 will yield a more economic design.