Review of limit load solutions of smooth pipe bends Part I: Defect-free bends

This paper summarises the review results for limit load solutions of smooth pipe bends with/without cracks under various loading conditions, which are required when performing structural integrity assessment using R6 types procedures/standards. In Part I of this paper, limit load solutions for defect-free smooth pipe bends with/without attached straight pipes under internal pressure, in-plane closing/opening bending, out-of-plane bending, torsion, combined internal pressure and in-plane bending, combined internal pressure and out-of-plane bending and combined internal pressure and torsion are reviewed and compared with available elastic-perfectly plastic finite element (FE) limit load analysis results. The outcomes of the review are summarised and some new solutions are recommended based on available solutions or available FE data.