Finite element analysis and optimization of stress and strain for main steam pipelines

Large deformation often occurred in main steam pipelines in the period of long-term service at high temperature because of loads, heat expansion and creep, and resulted that the pipelines stress state was differ from the designed state. Stress and strain analysis of main steam pipelines in a power plant was carried out by finite element method (FEM) using ABAQUS codes. Loads, heat expansion and creep were concerned in the analysis, the stress state and Y-direction displacement distribution of the pipelines were obtained, and the cause of the pipes deformation was discussed. Furthermore, optimal design calculation of the pipelines was carried out, and the deformation of the optimal designed pipelines was relieved.