Non-linear analysis and warping of tubular pipe conveyors by the finite element method

In this paper the stress and strain distributions and warping effects in a tubular pipe conveyor are studied by the finite element method (FEM) [K. Bathe, Finite Element Procedures, Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall, New York, 1996; T. Chandrupatla, A. Belegundu, Introduction to Finite Elements in Engineering, Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1991; R.D. Cook, D.S. Malkus, M.E. Plesha, R.J. Witt, Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis, Wiley, New York, 2001; J.N. Reddy, An Introduction to Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis, Oxford University Press, New York, 2004; M. Renardy, R.C. Rogers, An Introduction to Partial Differential Equations, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1993; O.C. Zienkiewicz, R.L. Taylor, The Finite Element Method: Solid and Fluid Mechanics and Non-linearity, McGraw-Hill Book Company, London, 1991], taking into account the geometry and local effects. The non-linearity is due to the ‘contact problems’ that govern the phenomenon. The forces and moments on the different elements of the tubular pipe conveyor are determined. Finally the conclusions reached are shown.