scope:

The qualification of nozzles in pressure vessels, or branch connections in piping systems, often requires the use of finite element analysis (FEA). The models are equivalent to cylinder-to-cylinder intersections. The loads under consideration typically are pressure or external moments. Both the magnitude and location of the maximum stress is very important. This bulletin provides significant insight into the stress distribution of cylinder-to-cylinder intersections. Recommendations are made regarding FEA modeling techniques. This report is composed of several parts. The first part replicates the Optimal Study and, in some cases, develops identical result and in others, the results are different. The second part, compares the results of the FEA code used in the study, to experimental data results, and evaluates the FEA element size recommendations