Calculation of Pipe Bends and Thrust Block Forces

Resulting force due to Mass flow and Flow Velocity

The resulting force in x-direction due to mass flow and flow velocity can be expressed as:
Rx = m v (1 - cos)
= A v2 (1 - cos)
= (d / 2)2 v2 (1 - cos)
where
Rx = resulting force in x-direction (N)
m = mass flow (kg/s)
v = flow velocity (m/s)
20
= bend angle
90
3
= fluid density (kg/m )
1000
d = pipe diameter (m)
0.114
= 3.14...
3.1416
Rx =
4082.82 N
The resulting force in y-direction due to mass flow and flow velocity can be expressed as:
Ry = m v sin
= A v2 sin
= (d / 2)2 v2 sin
where
Ry = resulting force in y direction (N)
Ry =

4082.82 N

The resulting force on the bend due to Mass Flow and Flow Velocity

Rm = (Rx2 + Ry2)1/2
where
Rm = resulting force on the bend(N)
Rm =
5773.98

Resulting force due to Static Pressure

The pressure and the end surfaces of the bend creates resulting forces in x- and y-directions.
The resulting force in x-direction can be expressed as
Rpx = p A (1- cos )
= p (d / 2)2 (1- cos )
where
Rpx = resulting force due to pressure in x-direction (N)
p = pressure inside pipe (Pa, N/m2)
Rpx =

1,020.71

100,000
N

The resulting force in y-direction can be expressed as

Rpy = p (d / 2)2 sin
where
Rpy = resulting force due to pressure in y-direction (N)
Rpy =

1,020.71

The resulting force on the bend due to Pressure

Rp = (Rpx2 + Rpy2)1/2
Rp = 1,443.50 N
where
Rp = resulting force on the bend due to static pressure (N)
Total Trust Force
R = Rm + Rp
where
R = Total resulting force (N)
R=

7217.48

Cos 0
Cos11.25
Cos 22.5
Cos 30

1
0.9808
0.9239
0.866

Cos 45
Cos 60
Cos 67.5
Cos 78.75
Cos 90

0.7071
0.5
0.3827
0.2462
0

Sin 0
Sin 11.25
Sin 22.5
Sin 30
Sin 45
Sin 60
Sin 67.5

0
0.1951
0.3827
0.5
0.7071
0.866
0.9239

Sin 78.75
Sin 90

0.9808
1