Approximate estimation of hardening-softening behaviour of circular pipes subjected to pure bending

An approximate method for describing the plastic hardeningsoftening behaviour of circular pipes subjected to pure bending is presented. Theoretical estimation based on the uniform ovalization model and local collapse model proposed in the paper is incorporated to give several simple formulations with reasonable accuracy for determining the relationship between bending moment (M) and curvature (k) in the purely bended pipes. Attention is focused on the critical curvature associated with maximum resistant moment and the maximum change in the original diameter before the end of uniform ovalization stage as well as the local collapse behaviour. Some comparisons between analytical results and experimental results are made in order to examine the theory.