Wear Plate & Saddles
Wear Plate & Saddles
(OP)
A question about wear plates versus saddles. In looking back through the Zick paper on saddle design and also in Bednar's handbook, it appears a steel saddle will have a top flange plate, with an optional wear plate between that plate and the vessel. However, in Megyesy's handbook, that top flange plate appears to be the same thing as the wear plate, although Megyesy says it is based on the same Zick analysis. Anyone have any insight into this difference? It does affect the design in various ways.





RE: Wear Plate & Saddles
A steel saddle may or may not have a "top flange"; the purpose is not the same as that for the wear plate. The flange is to "emulate" the width of the concrete saddle. The broader width of the top flange versus the vessel bearing on only the thickness of the saddle web plate will make a big difference in some stresses in the shell. But typically the ring compression stress based on omitting the top flange is still within the allowable so a top flange isn't necessary.
Typically a top flange is throwing money away. It's just to emulate the width and rigidity of the concrete saddle. And to do so you should make certain to stiffen it with gussets, etc.
My opinion only.
RE: Wear Plate & Saddles