Abstract
This paper presents a simplified elastic procedure to estimate the amount of elastic follow-up due to thermal expansion stress experienced by a large diameter (greater than 200 mm) thin-walled (d/t greater than 30) piping system. The simplified method utilizes the concept of reduced elastic modulus which was successfully applied to classify clamp-induced pipe stresses into primary and secondary categories. The conservatism of the simplified method in quantifying elastic follow-up is illustrated in this paper by comparing the numerical estimate of elastic follow-up with that obtained from a detailed creep analysis of a Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor piping system.
