STRENGTH: DUAL LAYER STEEL PLATES VS. A SOLID PLATE (SAME THICKNESS)

[czarSS]

I AM TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN STRENGTH WHEN COMBINING TWO PLATES OF STEEL VS. USING A SOLID PLATE OF STEEL. THEY BOTH WILL BE EQUAL THICKNESS AND WOULD BE MADE FROM THE SAME MATERIAL.

TO ILLUSTRATE- I AM FILLING A 42” DIA. PIPE WITH WATER FOR HYDROTESTING PURPOSES. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH HYDROTESTING, IT IS A PRESSURIZED TEST USING WATER TO TEST THE PIPES/WELD INTEGRITY. THE HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE WOULD BE EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE FACE OF THE STEEL PLATE, WHICH IS SERVING AS THE CAP. THIS CAP WOULD BE BOLTED WITH GASKETS FOR WATER TIGHTENING. PER THE REQUIREMENTS THE CAP IS TO BE 2" THICK, BUT I ONLY HAVE 1" MATERIAL AND WOULD LIKE TO USE TWO LAYERS OF 1” TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
WOULD THIS BE ACCEPTABLE?

ANY REFERENCES WOULD BE HELPFUL.

THANKS

 

[desertfox]

Hi czar

I doubt that two 1" plates is acceptable because as the vessel is pressurized the end caps see a bending force and therefore the "I" value of the two single plates will be nowhere near the "I" of a single 2" thick plate.

A helpful tip:- can you please turn your capslock of when typing

 

[czarSS]

Thanks for the prompt response desertfox.. that's in line with what i was thinking, just wanted confirmation.

 

[desertfox]

Hi czarss

Your welcome