Abstract
This paper presents numerical results obtained using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in studying large diameter welded neck steel flanges under different loading conditions. Obtained FEA results show the effect of the clamping pressure, internal pressure, axial end load, temperature effect, gasket elasticity modulus on the contact pressure between the gasket and the steel flange. As expected clamping pressure is a determinate factor for the sealing condition. Gasket material is another primary factor in designing flanged joints.