ASME Section VIII Appendix 2 - Need help understanding the equation and factors 3

[xadun]

Hi, I'm a pressure vessel designer/engineer and I'm trying to have a deeper understanding of Appendix 2 of ASME Section VIII Division 1 and the biggest problem, of course, is the equations and factors. Do anyone know if there's a book/article/code or something that describe how those guys came to these formulas? What's the thought behind it? I'm trying to do it by myself but when I saw the Table 2-7.1 I just gave up!
My other question is, do you guys think that an engineer or designer should have a deep knowledge about the equations and formulas or just use it without asking questions?

 

[TomBarsh]

"the" book on flange design/analysis is "Development of General Formulas for Bolted Flanges" by Waters, Rossheim, Wesstrom, and Williams. Published back in the 1930's or 1940's, based on very early development work. Referenced in numerous works on design pressure vessels and bolting. It's available here

http://hdl.handle.net/2027/wu.89089675649.

It really is very mathematical and it's likely not imperative to understand in-depth. Instead, try to concentrate on the general principles of the flange design, the free body diagram and balance of forces, as presented in books like "Pressure Vessel Design Handbook" by Bednar, and other similar books.

 

[SnTMan]

Good answer by TomBarsh (as usual)

"My other question is, do you guys think that an engineer or designer should have a deep knowledge about the equations and formulas or just use it without asking questions."

Well actually neither. Not actually neccessary to have a "deep understanding" of the derivation and evolution of the Code rules and equations, although the more one understands this, the better one is equipped to apply them to situations that are not straight from the Code.

However it is necessary to understand the Code rules and their applicability and limitations, how you might perform the calculations by hand (where possible) and HOW YOUR SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTS the Code rules.

To attempt the "data entry clerk" school of design (put numbers in, get numbers out) is potentially both uneconomic and dangerous.

The more you know, the better you will be.

Regards,

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand