Gasket numerical Problems

Prob 1
• A vessel is designed for an internal pressure 100
kgf/cm2. A spiral wound metal, fibre stainless steel
gasket with inside diameter 36 cm and width 2.0 cm is
used.
• Gasket factor is 3.0, while gasket seating stress is 675
kgf/cm2. Permissible stress for bolt material at
atmospheric and operating condition is 1300 kgf/cm2.

• Check whether the gasket width is sufficient to keep it

away from crushing out?
• P = 100 kgf/cm2 = 100 x 9.81/10–4 = 9.81x106 N/m2
• Gi = 36cm = 0.36m
• N = 2cm = 20mm = 0.02m
• m = 3; y = 675x 9.81/10–4 = 6.6x107N/m2
• f = 1300 x 9.81/10–4 = 1.28x108 N/m2

• bo = N/2 = 0.01m = 10mm > 6.3mm

• Therefore, b = = ½ √b0 = ½ √10 = 1.58 mm
= 1.58 x10–3m
• And, G = dia at location of gasket load reaction
= (Inside dia of gasket) + 2N – 2b if b0 > 6.3mm
= (0.36) + 2(0.02) – 2(1.58 x10–3) == 0.39684 m

• Bolt load due to initial gasket load reaction,

Wm1 = πbGy = π(1.58 x10–3)(0.39684) (6.6x107) = 1.3x105 N

• Bolt load at operating conditions,

Wm2 = H + HP = (π/4)G2P + π(2b)GmP
= (π/4)(0.39684)2(9.81x106) +
π(2)(1.58 x10–3)(0.39684)(3) (9.81x106)
= 1.21x106 + 1.16x105 = 1.33x106 N
Therefore, Wm2 > Wm1
 And Wm2 is the controlling load!!!!
• And bolt area, Am = Wm2 / f
= 1.33x106/1.28x108 = 0.01039 m2

• And min. gasket width, Nmin = (Ab fa ) /2πyG

= (0.01039)(1.28x108) / 2π (6.6x107)(0.39684)
= 8.08x10–3 m
= 8.08 mm < 20mm

• ∴ The gasket is sufficient for the operations!!!!

 Prob 2
• A pressure vessel has inside diameter 1470 mm and a plate thickness
of 5mm. Inside diameter of flange is 1482 mm. A gasket is provided
over the flange face. Gasket factor is 2.0 and the gasket seating stress
is 120 kgf/cm2.
• Inside diameter of gasket is 1485 mm. Pressure inside the vessel is 2.5
kgf/cm2.
• Permissible stress of flange material is 1060 kgf/cm2.
• Permissible stress in bolts under atmospheric condition is 600 kgf/cm2.
• Permissible stress in bolts at operating conditions is 550 kgf/cm2.
• Diameter of bolt is 20 mm.

• Calculate:
• i) Check whether the gasket width is sufficient to keep it away from
crushing out?
• ii) flange thickness
• P = 2.5 kgf/cm2 = 2.5 x 1.1 = 2.75 x 9.81/10–4 = 2.69x105
N/m2
• Gi = 1.485m
• Di = 1.47m; t = 5mm;
• m = 2; y = 120 x 9.81/10–4 = 1.18x107N/m2
• fa = 600 x 9.81/10–4 = 5.89x107 N/m2
• fb = 550 x 9.81/10–4 = 5.39x107 N/m2
• fflange = 1060 x 9.81/10–4 = 1.04x108 N/m2
• Bolt size = 20mm

𝐺0 𝑦−𝑚𝑃 0.5
• = = 1.01216
𝐺𝑖 𝑦−𝑃(𝑚+1)
• === Go = 1.503m = 1503mm

• ∴ N = {1503 – 1485}/2 = 9mm

• bo = 9/2 = 4.5 mm < 6.3mm
• Therefore, b = b0 = 4.5 mm
• And, G = dia at location of gasket load reaction
= Mean dia of gasket
= (1503+1485)/2 == 1494 mm

• Bolt load due to initial gasket load reaction,

Wm1 = πbGy = π(4.5 x10–3)(1.494) (1.18x107) = 2.49x105 N

• Bolt load at operating conditions,

Wm2 = H + HP = (π/4)G2P + π(2b)GmP
= (π/4)(1.494)2(2.69x105) +
π(2)(4.5x10–3)(1.494)(2) (2.69x105)
= 4.72x105 + 22.73x103 = 4.95x105 N
Therefore, Wm2 > Wm1
 And Wm2 is the controlling load!!!!
• And bolt area, Am = Wm2 / f = 4.95x105 /5.39x107
= 9.18x10–3 m2
• Number of bolts = 9.18x10–3 / { π/4 (0.02)2}= 29.22
==== 32 bolts (multiple of 4!!!!)

• Actual area provided, Ab = 10.053x10–3 m2 > Am

• And min. gasket width, Nmin = (Ab fa ) /2πyG

= (10.053x10–3 )(5.89x107) / 2π (1.18x107)(1.494)
= 4.89x10–3 m = 4.89mm < 9mm

• ∴ The gasket is sufficient for the operations!!!!

• BCD = BCD = B = OD of gasket + 2(bolt dia) + 12mm
= 1.555 m
• hG = radial distance from gasket load reaction to the bolt circle =
• = (B – G)/2 = (1.555 – 1.494)/2 = 0.0305m

1
• 𝐾= 1.5(𝑊𝑚 )(ℎ𝐺 )
0.3+ (𝐻)(𝐺)
1
• = 1.5(4.95𝑥105)(0.0305) = 3.01
0.3+ (4.72𝑥105)(1.494)

𝑃 0.5 2.69𝑥105 0.5

• 𝑡𝑓 = 𝐺 = 1.494 = 44mm
𝐾𝑓 (3.01)(1.04𝑥108)
 Prob 3
A narrow face flange is to be designed to the following specifications:
• Outside-diameter of shell = 80 cm; shell thickness = 10 mm
• Design pressure = 10 kgf/cm2.
• Design temperature = 150ºC.
• Gasket is of asbestos composition.
• Inside diameter of gasket = 84 cm.
• Gasket width = 1.6 cm.
• Gasket factor m = 2.75.
• Gasket seating stress = 260 kg/cm2.
• Permissible stress for the bolt material = 950 kg/cm2.
• Permissible stress for the flange material = 950 kg/cm2.
• 32 bolts of 19 mm diameter are to be used to tighten the flange joint.
• Check whether the gasket is sufficiently wide to keep away from
crushing.
• Calculate the minimum thickness of flange.
• OD of the shell = 0.8m; t = 0.01m
• P = 10 kgf/cm2 = 10 x 9.81/10–4 = 9.81x105 N/m2
• Gi = 0.84m
• N = 0.016 m = 16 mm
• m = 2.75; y = 260 x 9.81/10–4 = 2.56x107N/m2
• f = 950 x 9.81/10–4 = 9.32x107 N/m2
• Actual area of bolts (32 bolts of 19 mm diameter)
= (32) x π/4 (0.019)2 = 9.073 x10–3 m2

• bo = N/2 = 0.016/2 = 0.008m = 8mm > 6.3mm

• Therefore, b = = ½ √b0 = ½ √8 = 1.414 mm
= 1.414 x10–3m
• And, G = dia at location of gasket load reaction
= (Inside dia of gasket) + 2N – 2b if b0 > 6.3mm
= (0.84) + 2(0.016) – 2(1.414 x10–3) == 0.869 m

• Bolt load due to initial gasket load reaction,

Wm1 = πbGy = π(1.414 x10–3)(0.869) (2.56x107) = 9.89x104 N

• Bolt load at operating conditions,

Wm2 = H + HP = (π/4)G2P + π(2b)GmP
= (π/4)(0.869)2(9.81x105) +
π(2)(1.414x10–3)(0.869)(2.75) (9.81x105)
= 5.82x105 + 20.83x103 = 6.03x105 N
Therefore, Wm2 > Wm1
 And Wm2 is the controlling load!!!!
• And bolt area, Am = Wm2 / f = 6.03x105 /9.32x107 =
6.45x10–3 m2
• Actual area provided, Ab = 9.073 x10–3 m2 > Am

• And min. gasket width, Nmin = (Ab fa ) /2πyG

= (9.073 x10–3 )(9.32x107) / 2π (2.56x107)(0.869)
= 6.05x10–3 m < 16 mm

∴ The gasket is sufficient for the operations!!!!

• BCD = B = OD of gasket + 2(bolt dia) + 12mm
= {Gi + 2(N)} + 2(bolt dia) + 12mm
= {0.84x103 + 2(16)} + 2(19) + 12mm = 922 mm
= 0.922 m
• hG = radial distance from gasket load reaction to the bolt circle =
= (B – G)/2 = (0.922 – 0.869)/2 = 0.0265m
1
• 𝐾= 1.5(𝑊𝑚 )(ℎ𝐺 )
0.3+ (𝐻)(𝐺)
1
• 𝐾 = 1.5(6.03𝑥105)(0.0265) = 2.878
0.3+
(5.82𝑥105)(0.869)

𝑃 0.5 9.81𝑥105 0.5

• 𝑡𝑓 = 𝐺 = 0.869 = 0.05255 m = 53mm
𝐾𝑓 (2.878)(9.32𝑥107)
 Prob 4: For the external pressure
problem….(based on Design problem 2)
• Gasket selection….since we’ve chosen the temperature as 250°C…as per
the guidelines…Up to pressures of 20 bar, the operating temperature and
corrosiveness of the process fluid will be the controlling factor in gasket
selection.

• So, From Table 4.1 (code book)….select….Corrugated metal, asbestos, soft

steel……
• m = 3 and y = 31 N/mm2
• @Design temp 250°C…..the bolt material, f = 16 kgf/mm2 = 1.57x108 N/m2
• …..the flange material, f = 12.1 kgf/mm2 = 1.19x108 N/m2
• Already we’ve found out that….. Di = 4175 mm
• Thickness, t = 40 mm
• Do = 4175+(2x40) = 4255 mm
• Internal pressure, P = (1.1) 150x103 N/m2 = 1.65x105 N/m2
• For the initial choice of gasket width, use the
relationship,
𝐺0 𝑦−𝑚𝑃 0.5
• = = 1.00272
𝐺𝑖 𝑦−𝑃(𝑚+1)

• Now assue, Gi = OD of the shell + 5 mm extra….(just

try!!!)

• == Gi = 4255+5 = 4260 mm

• == Go = 4271.57 mm

• Gasket width, N = (Go – Gi) / 2 = 5.79 mm

• === Assume 6 mm width (??????)
• bo = 6/2 = 3 mm < 6.3mm
• Therefore, b = b0 = 3 mm
• And, G = dia at location of gasket load reaction (……bo < 6.3mm)
= Mean dia of gasket
= 4265.79 mm
• Bolt load due to initial gasket load reaction,
Wm1 = πbGy = 1.25x106 N

• Bolt load at operating conditions,

Wm2 = H + HP = (π/4)G2P + π(2b)GmP
= 2.39x106 + 79.57x103 = 2.44x106 N
Therefore, Wm2 > Wm1
 And Wm2 is the controlling load!!!!
• And bolt area, Am = Wm2 / f = 15,542.66 mm2
• By choosing 23 mm dia bolts……CSA = 415.48 mm2
• Number of bolts = 37.41…..
==== 40 bolts (multiple of 4!!!!)

• Actual area provided, Ab = 16,619.2 mm2 > Am

• And min. gasket width, Nmin = (Ab fa ) /2πyG

= 3.14 mm < 6 mm

• ∴ The gasket is sufficient for the operations!!!!

• BCD = BCD = B = OD of gasket + 2(bolt dia) + 12mm
= 4329.57 mm
• hG = radial distance from gasket load reaction to the bolt circle =
• = (B – G)/2 = 31.89 mm

1
• 𝐾= 1.5(𝑊𝑚 )(ℎ𝐺 )
0.3+
(𝐻)(𝐺)

• =𝐾 = 3.2093

𝑃 0.5
• 𝑡𝑓 = 𝐺 = 88.78mm….
𝐾𝑓
 Joshi….
• A cylindrical shell with 1200 mm OD (Stainless
steel), internal pressure of 0.3 N/mm2 has to be
fitted to a shallow dished end with a flange
(Carbon steel, f = 95 N/mm2). A flat gasket can be
chosen with 1200 mm ID and 1240 mm OD. The
m & y are 2 & 11.2 N/mm2 respectively.
• No. of bolts = 48 & Bolt dia 18 mm (f = 54.5
N/mm2)
• Verify, whether the gasket width is okay or not.
• Determine the flange thickness.
• A vessel is made up of stainless steel for which the flange may be selected from IS
4868, minimum shell thickness of 6mm, the details of the flange and bolts are as
follows:
• Shell outside diameter – 1200 mm
• Design pressure = 1.5 MN/m2
• Design temperature = 150 °C
• Narrow face flange, Allowable stress of the flange material: 138 MN/m2
• Number of bolts: 48, 18mm dia, bolt material 1% Cr Mo Steel, Allowable stress at
atmospheric and operating condition are 19.68 & 17.8 kgf/mm2
• Gasket – asbestos, m = 2.75; y = 25.5 N/mm2
• For initial guess, assume gasket inner dia = shell OD + 10mm
• Determine the following:
• Diameter at the location of gasket load reaction
• Bolt loads
• Minimum bolt area and actual bolt area
• Thickness of the flange
 From Brown young example problem
• A ring type flange with a plain face for a heat exchanger shell has to be designed to
the following specifications:
• Design pressure = 150 psi
• Design temp = 300° F
• Flange material = ASTM A-201, Grade B (Allowable stress = 15000 psi)
• Bolting steel = ASTM A-193 ,Grade B7 (Allowable stress = 20000 psi)
• Shell thickness = 3/8“
• Shell ID = 30 ¼ “
• Gasket material = Asbestos composition ( m = 2.75; y = 37 N/mm2)
• For initial guess, assume gasket inner dia = shell OD + 10mm

• Determine the following:

• Diameter at the location of gasket load reaction
• Bolt loads
• Minimum bolt area and actual bolt area
• Thickness of the flange
• From Brown young example problem
• From Brown young exercise problem
• The following figure shows the partial
design of a pressure vessel. Determine
the maximum operating pressure for the
vessel based on the shell dimensions and
material. For this pressure select a
suitable gasket material and determine
the optimum number of bolts, minimum
gasket width and flange thickness. The
service temperature is 400°F.
• Hint: For pressures above 20 bar, ring-
joint gasket (m=5.5; y=124N/mm2)
should be chosen.
• For grade SA-212, Grade B : f = 1.19x108
N/m2
• For grade SA-193, Grade B : f = 1.36x109
N/m2
• For grade SA-105, Grade B : f = 1.19x109
N/m2
 Similar to Joshi problem
• Your responsibility is to choose a flange to join a
cylindrical shell (ID 1.2m) with a tori spherical
heads (100-6). The operating pressure inside the
vessel is 3kgf/cm2. Your boss suggests you to
choose a flat asbestos gasket of 120cm ID and
124cm OD of 10mm thickness. But you are not
sure about the gasket selection. Can you show by
calculation, is it sufficient for this vessel under
operating conditions? Calculate the flange
dimensions also:
 Flange Bolt
Type Raised face; M20;
Gasket: Asbestos,
m = 2; y = 112 kgf/cm2
Material Carbon steel IS2002, Grade I Hot rolled carbon steel

Permissible stress (up 9.5 kgf/mm2 5.45 kgf/mm2

to 250°C)
 Assignment
• A cylindrical vessel has to be provided with a narrow-
faced flange. Design pressure for the vessel is 120
kgf/cm2. The maximum operating temperature is 121
C. A spiral wound metal, fiber filled stainless steel
gasket with inside diameter 36 cm and having 2.4 cm
width has to be used. Data: Gasket factor, m = 3;
Gasket seating stress = 675 kgf/cm2. Permissible bolt
stress at gasket seating and operating condition is 1250
kgf/cm2. 16 bolts of 50 mm dia are to be used.
Permissible flange stress at gasket and operating
condition is 1200 kgf/cm2. Dia of bolt circle, B = 54 cm.
Calculate the minimum thickness of the flange
required.