The stress in the bolts is slightly (26000 psi) over the allowable of 23000 psi per ASME Section 2 part D Tabel 3. The flange and leakage has been checked and passes. We are getting about 500,000 ft*lbf at the connection. We cannot move the flange.
What I need to know is what defines the...
1. We have external bending moments on our flange due to pipeline thermal expansion....this load causes the bolt stresses to be over the allowable per Div. 1 Table UCS-23 (we are using a 3 1/2" B7 - 23,000 psi allowable). We then refer to Division 2, Appendix 4 Section 4-141 and it states...