Conclusion

Bolted flange assemblies are mechanical connections whose reliability depends on the simultaneous interaction of several components: flanges, gaskets, and bolts. A robust design can therefore only be achieved by considering the assembly as a whole, rather than by analyzing each component in isolation.

The design of these assemblies relies on balancing two fundamental requirements: ensuring the joint is leak-tight and guaranteeing the mechanical strength of the various components. Design codes and standards address this challenge through analytical models that estimate the forces and stresses acting within the assembly.

This article presented the calculation assumptions and the mechanical framework used to analyze bolted flange assemblies. The modeling of flanges according to the Taylor Forge method, the definition of the effective contact...