Round HSS end plate flange - two piece flange 1

[canwesteng]

I have some large (3-4 feet) diameter pipe members being used for a structure, that need to be spliced together on site due to length. The fabricator is wondering if we can split the flanges into two pieces. Now for most pipe flanges, they are only one piece because leaking is unacceptable. In my case, the flanges need only transmit the load. Certainly if the pipe were split like this, it would break the torsional continuity of the section, but I don't think this is needed for the flanges. In my mind, the torsion is carried through the walls of the pipe to the flange, the flange sees this continuous torsional stress and transmits it to the bolts, and then the load goes bolts>flange>pipe on the other side, again with the stress being more or less uniform. Am I missing something where breaking the flange would cause some stress concentration or warping stress though?

 

[KootK]

1) I agree and feel that this should be fine. The bolts and flanges next to the interruption need to be tended to accordingly but I've no doubt that you've got that covered.

2) I also agree that there's no torsional sacrifice. Conceptually, it's not so different from gaps between stitch welds if that's how you were connecting the two segments.