CHAPTER 8

Thin and Thick Cylinders and Spheres

Problem 1. A shell 3.25 m long and 1 m diameter, is subjected to an internal pressure of 1.2 N/mm2. If the
thickness of the shell is 10 mm find the circumferential and longitudinal stresses. Find also the maximum
shear stress and changes in dimensions of the shell. Take E = 200 kN/mm2 and Poissons ratio = 0.3.
Solution: L = 3.25 m = 3250 mm
d = 1 m = 1000 mm
t = 10 mm p = 1.2 N/mm2
E = 200 kN/mm = 200 × 103 N/mm2
2

pd 1.2 × 1000
∴ Hoop stress f1 = = = 60 N/mm2
2t 2 × 10
pd 1.2 × 1000
Longitudinal stress f2 = = = 30 N/mm2
4t 4 × 10
f1 − f 2 60 − 30
qmax = = = 15 N/mm2
2 2
δd f f
Diametral strain = = e1 = 1 − µ 2
d E E
1
= ( f1 − µ f 2 )
E
1
= (60 − 0.3 × 30)
200 × 103
2.55 × 10–4
=
∴ 2.55 × 10–4 × d
δd =
2.55 × 10–4 × 1000
=
0.255 mm.
= Ans.
δL f 2 f
Longitudinal strain = = −µ 1
L E E
1
= ( f 2 − µ f1 )
E
1
= (30 − 0.3 × 60)
200 × 103
= 6 × 10–5
δL = 6 × 10–5 × L = 6 × 10–5 × 3250 = 0.195 mm. Ans.
Change in volume:
δV
= 2e1 + e2 = 2 × 2.55 × 10–4 + 6 × 10–5
V
= 5.7 × 10–4

68
 π
δV = 5.7 × 10–4 × V = 5.7 × 10–4 × 10002 × 3250
4
= 1454950 mm3. Ans.
Problem 2. A cylindrical shell 2.4 m long 600 mm in diameter with metal thickness 12 mm is completely
filled with water at atmospherical pressure. If an additional 300,000 mm3 water is then pumped in, find the
stresses developed and change in dimensions. Take E = 2 × 105 N/mm2, µ = 0.3.
pd p × 600
Solution: f1 = = = 25 p
2t 2 × 12
pd p × 600
f2 = = = 12.5 p
4t 4 × 12
δd f f
Diametrical strain e1 = = 1 −µ 2
d E E
1
= [25 p − 0.3 × 12.5 p]
E
21.25 p
=
E
δL 1
Longitudinal strain e2 = = ( f 2 − µ f1 )
L E
1
= [12.5 p − 0.3 × 25 p]
E
5p
=
E
δV
Volumetric strain = = 2e1 + e2
V
21.25 p 5 p
= 2× +
E E
p
= 47.5
E
δV E
∴ p = ×
V 47.5
300,000 2 × 105
= ×
π 47.5
× 6002 × 2400
4
= 1.861413 N/mm2
∴ Hoop stress = 25 p = 25 × 1.861413 = 46.537 N/mm2
δd 21.25 p
∴ = e1 =
d E
21.25 p
∴ δd = × 600 = 0.1186 mm
E
δL 5p
= e2 =
L E

69
 5× p
δL = × L = 0.1116 mm
E
f2 = 12.5 p = 23.268 N/mm2
δV = 300,000 mm3.
Problem 3. The diameter of a riveted boiler is 1.5 m and has to withstand a pressure of 2 N/mm2. Find the
thickness of plates to be used if efficiency is 85% in longitudinal joints and 40% in circumferential joints.
The permissible stress is 150 N/mm2.
Solution: Let ‘t’ be the thickness of plate. Equating bursting force longitudinal joint strength, we get,
pdL = n1 2t L f
pd 2 × 1500
t = = = 11.764 mm
2 fn1 2 × 150 × 0.85
Considering longitudinal forces
πd 2
p = n2 πdtf
4
pd 2 × 1500
∴ t = = = 12.5 mm
4 f n2 4 × 150 × 0.4
∴ Provide a minimum thickness of 12.5 mm.
Problem 4. A copper cylinder of 100 mm diameter and metal thickness 4 mm is closely wound with steel
wire of 2 mm diameter with tensile stress of 60 N/mm2. Find the stresses in copper cylinder and steel wire
when a fluid is filled at a pressure of 4 N/mm2. Take Es = 2 × 105 N/mm2, Ec = 1.2 × 105 N/mm2 and
µc = 0.28.
Solution: Consider 2 mm length of cylinder
No. of wires = 1
∴ Force exerted by steel wire at diametral section
πd 2
= fw0 × 2 × ×1
4
π × 22
= 60 × 2 × × 1 = 376.991 N.
4
If initial stress is fc in cylinder, then
fc × 2t × 2 = 376.991
376.991
fc = = 23.561 N/mm2 (comp.)
2×4×2
Let due to fluid pressure alone, stresses developed in steel wire be fw and in cylinder.
Let it be f1 and f2.
Then, f2 = longitudinal stress
pd 4 × 100
= = = 25 N/mm2 (tensile)
4t 4×4
Considering the equilibrium of the cylinder (Ref. Fig. 1) of
2 mm length, we get
π
fw × 2 × × 22 × 1 + f1 × 2 × 4 × 2
4 Fig. 1
= 4 × 100 × 2

70
 6.883 fw + 16 f1 = 800
fw + 2.546 f1 = 127.327 ... (1)
Equating strain in wire to circumferential strain in cylinder, we get
fw 1
= (f1 – µ × f2)
Es Ec
fw 1
5
= (f1 – 0.28 × 25)
2 × 10 1.2 × 105
fw = 1.667 f1 – 11.667 ... (2)
Substituting it in eqn. (1), we get
1.667 f1 – 11.667 + 2.546 f1 = 127.327
138.994
∴ f1 = = 32.991 N/mm2
4.213
From eqn. (2),
fw = 1.667 × 32.991 – 11.667
= 43.328 N/mm2
Hence, final stresses are
(a) in steel wire = 60 + 43.328 = 103.328 N/mm2
(b) in cylinder = – 23.561 + 32.991 = 9.43 N/mm2
Problem 5. A thin spherical shell of diameter 1.2 m has metal thickness of 10 mm at atmospheric pressure.
Find the change in diameter and the capacity of the shell if fluid pressure is raised to 2.5 N/mm2.
Take E = 2 × 105 N/mm2, µ = 0.25.
Solution: d = 1.2 m = 1200 mm p = 2.5 N/mm2 t = 10 mm
pd 2.5 × 1200
Hoop stress = f1 = f2 = = = 75 N/mm2
4t 4 × 10
δd pd
= = (1 – µ)
d 4tE
δd 2.5 × 1200
∴ = [1 − 0.25]
1200 4 × 10 × 2 × 105
δd = 0.3375 mm. Ans.
δV pd
and, = 3 (1 − µ )
V 4 tE
3 × 2.5 × 1200 π 3
∴ δV = (1 − 0.25) × d
4 × 10 × 2 × 105 6
3 × 2.5 × 1200 π
= × 0.75 × × (1200)3
4 × 10 × 2 × 105 6
i.e. δV = 763407 mm3. Ans.
Problem 6. In a chemical plant a sphere of diameter 900 mm and metal thickness 8 mm is used to store a
gas. If the permissible stress in the metal is 150 N/mm2, find the maximum pressure with which the gas can
be stored if
(i) the sphere is seamless
(ii) the efficiency of joint is 0.65.

71
Solution: (i) When the sphere is seamless :
pd
f =
4t
p × 900
150 =
4×8
∴ p = 5.333 N/mm2. Ans.
(ii) When the efficiency of the joint is 0.85,
pd
f =
4t η
f 4t η 150 × 4 × 8 × 0.85
∴ p = =
d 900
i.e. p = 3.467 N/mm2. Ans.
Problem 7. A thick cylindrical pipe of outside diameter 300 mm and internal diameter of 200 mm is
subjected to an internal fluid pressure of 20 N/mm2 and external fluid pressure of 5 N/mm2. Determine the
maximum hoop stress developed and draw the variation of hoop stress and radial stress across the
thickness. Indicate values at every 25 mm interval.
200
Solution: ri = = 100 mm
2
300
ro = = 150 mm
2
If the hoop stress and radial stress in the cylinder at a distance x from the centre of cylinder is fx and px
respectively, from Lame’s equation,
b b
fx = 2
+ a and px = 2 − a
x x
where a and b are constants.
Now, at x = 100 mm, px = 20 N/mm2
b
∴ 20 = −a ... (1)
1002
At x = 150 mm, px = 5 N/mm2
b
∴ 5 = −a ... (2)
1502
Substituting equation (2) from equation (1), we get
b b  1 1 
15 = 2
− = b
2 2
− 
100 150  100 1502 
1502 − 1002
= b
1002 × 1502
∴ b = 269978.4
269978.4
∴ From eqn. (1), 20 = −a
1002
∴ a = 6.9976
269978.4
∴ fx = + 6.9976
x2

72
 ∴ Maximum hoop stress occurs when x is least i.e. at x = 100 mm
269978.4
∴ fmax = + 6.9976
1002
= 34 N/mm2
269978.4
f125 = + 6.9976 = 24.4 N/mm2
1252
269978.4
f150 = + 6.9976 = 19 N/mm2
1502
269978.4
p100 = − 6.9976 = 20 N/mm2
1002
269978.4
p125 = − 6.9976 = 10.481 N/mm2
1252
269978.4
p150 = − 6.9976 = 5 N/mm2
1502
Hence variation of fx and px are as shown in the Fig. 2:

Fig. 2
Problem 8. A thick cylindrical pipe of internal radius 150 mm and external radius 200 mm is subjected to
an internal fluid pressure of 17.5 N/mm2. Determine the maximum hoop stress in the cross-section. What is
the percentage error if it is determined from thin cylinders theory?
Solution: r1 = 150 mm r2 = 200 mm
If the radial stress and hoop stress developed in the cylinder at a distance of x from the centre are px and
fx respectively, from Lame’s equation,
b
px = −a
x2
b
fx = +a
x2
where a and b are arbitrary constants.
At x = 150 mm px = 17.5 N/mm2
b
∴ 17.5 = −a ... (1)
1502
Again when x = 200 mm px = 0
b
∴ 0 = −a ... (2)
2002

73
 From eqn. (1) and (2), we get
b b 2002 − 1502
17.5 = − = b
1502 2002 1502 × 2002
∴ b = 900205.76
b 900205.76
Hence a = = = 22.505
2002 2002
The value of fx is maximum when x is least
i.e. at x = 150 mm
900205.76
∴ Maximum hoop stress = + 22.505
1502
= 62.5 N/mm2. Ans.
Internal pressure × Internal diameter 17.5 × 2 × 150
Maximum hoop stress = = = 52.5 N/mm2
2 × thickness 2(200 − 150)
62.5 − 52.5
∴ Percentage error = × 100
62.5
= 16. Ans.
Problem 9. The internal and external diameters of a thick cylinder are 300 mm and 500 mm respectively. It
is subjected to an external pressure of 4 N/mm2. Find the internal pressure that can be applied if the
permissible stress in cylinder is limited to 13 N/mm2. Sketch the variation of hoop stress and radial stress
across the thickness of the cylinder.
300 500
Solution: r1 = = 150 mm r2 = = 250 mm
2 2
From Lame’s equations,
b b
px = 2 − a fx = 2 + a
x x
At x = 250 mm px = 4 N/mm2
b
∴ 4 = −a ... (1)
2502
Maximum hoop stress occurs for the least value of x i.e. at inner edge, where x = r1 = 150 mm.
b
∴ 13 = +a ... (2)
1502
From eqn. (1) and (2), we get
b b 1502 + 2502
17 = + =b
2502 1502 2502 × 1502
∴ b = 281270.68
From eqn. (1),
b 281270.68
a = 2
−4= −4
250 2502
= 0.5
281270.68
∴ px = − 0.5
x2
Internal pressure i.e. pressure at x = 150 mm, is

74
 281270.68
pi = − 0.5 = 12 N/mm2
1502 13

281270.68 12 7.53
f150 = 2
+ 0.5 = 13 N/mm2
150
5.0
281270.68 6.53
f200 = + 0.5 = 7.53 N/mm2 4.0
2002
150 150 250
281270.68
f250 = + 0.5 = 5 N/mm2
2502
281270.68
p150 = − 0.5 = 12 N/mm2
1502
281270.68 Fig. 3
p200 = 2
− 0.5 = 6.53 N/mm2
200
281270.68
and p250 = − 0.5 = 4 N/mm2
2502
Problem 10. A compound cylinder of inner radius 100 mm, outer radius 240 mm has common radius at
180 mm. The radial pressure developed at junction is 12 N/mm2. Determine the radial and hoop stresses
developed at inner, common and outer radii when the fluid is admitted at a pressure of 60 N/mm2.
Solution: (a) Inner cylinder : Let Lame’s equation be,
b b
px = 12 − a1 and fx = 12 + a1
x x
At x = r1 = 100 mm, px = 0.
b1
0 = − a1 ... (1)
1002
At x = r2 = 180 mm, px = 12 N/mm2
b1
∴ 12 = − a1 ... (2)
1802
From eqns. (1) and (2),
b1 b1 1002 − 1802
12 = 2
− 2
= b1
180 100 1802 × 1002
∴ b1 = – 173565.99
b1 − 173565.99
∴ a1 = 2
= = – 17.357
100 1002
b1 − 173565.99
∴ f100 = + a1 = − 17.357
1002 1002
= – 34.717 N/mm2
b1 − 173565.99
f180 = + a1 = − 17.357
1802 1802
= – 22.71 N/mm2
(b) Outer cylinder : Let Lame’s equation be,
b2 b
px = 2
− a2 and fx = 22 + a2
x x
At x = 180 mm, px = 12

75
 b2
∴ 12 = − a2 ... (3)
1802
At x = 240 mm, px = 0
b2
∴ 0 = − a2 ... (4)
2402
∴ From equations (3) and (4), we get
 1 1  2402 − 1802
12 = b2  2
− 2
= b2
180 240  1802 × 2402
∴ b2 = 888685.71
From equation (4),
b2 888685.71
a2 = 2
= = 15.42
240 2402
b2 888685.71
f180 = + a2 = + 15.42 = 42.84 N/mm2
1802 1802
888685.71
f240 = + 15.42 = 30.84 N/mm2
2402
b1 − 173565.99
p100 = 2
− a1 = − ( − 17.357)
100 1002
= 0
173565.99
p180 = − − ( − 17.357) = 12.0 N/mm2
1802
173565.99
p240 = − ( − 17.357) = 14.34 N/mm2
2402
(c) When fluid is pumped in, let Lame’s equation be,
b b
px = 32 − a3 and fx = 32 + a3
x x
At x = 100, px = 60 N/mm2
b3
60 = − a3 ... (5)
1002
and at x = 240 mm, px = 0
b3
0 = − a3 ... (6)
2402
From equations (5) and (6), we get
b3 b3 2402 − 1002
60 = 2
− 2
= b3
100 240 1002 × 2402
∴ b3 = 726050.42
b3
Hence a3 = = 12.605
2402
p100 = 60 N/mm2
726050.42
p180 = − 12.605 = 9.804 N/mm2
1802

76
 p240 = 0
726050.42
f100 = + a3 = 85.209 N/mm2
1002
f180 = 35.014 N/mm2
f240 = 25.210 N/mm2
∴ Final stresses are:
f100 = – 34.717 + 85.209 = 50.492 N/mm2
f180, inner = – 22.71 + 35.014 = 12.304 N/mm2
f180, outer = 42.84 + 35.014 = 77.854 N/mm2
f240 = 30.84 + 25.21 = 56.05 N/mm2
Problem 11. A compound cylinder is to made with inner radius of 160 mm and outer radius of 320 mm.
The radius at common junction is to be 240 mm. If the two cylinders with allowance 0.3 mm are used, find
the radial pressure developed at contact surfaces. Also determine the hoop stresses induced at inner edge,
common edge and outer edge of compound cylinder. Take Young’s modulus E = 2 × 105 N/mm2.
Solution: r1 = 160 mm r2 = 240 mm r0 = 320 mm
Let p be the radial pressure developed at junction. Let Lame’s equations for internal cylinder be
b b
px = 12 − a1 fx = 12 + a1
x x
At x = 160 mm px = 0
b1
0 = − a1 ... (1)
1602
At x = 240 mm, px = p
b1
∴ p = − a1 ... (2)
2402
From eqns. (1) and (2), we get
b1 b
p = 2
− 12
240 160
 1602 − 2402 
p = b1 
 1602 × 2402 
or
 
∴ b1 = – 46082.94 p.
− 46082.94 p
Hence a1 = = – 1.8 p.
1602
Hoop stress at junction is
− 46082.94 p
f21 = − 1.8 p
2402
= – 2.6 p
Lame’s equation for outer cylinder be,
b b
px = 22 − a2 and fx = 22 + a2
x x
At x = 240 mm, px = p

77
 b2
p = − a2 ... (3)
2402
At x = 320 mm, px = 0
b2
0 = − a2 ... (4)
3202
From equations (3) and (4), we get
b2 b2 (3202 − 2402 )
p = − = b2
2402 3202 2402 × 3202
∴ b2 = 131657.14 p.
∴ From eqn. (4),
b2 131657.14 p
a2 = 2
=
320 3202
= 1.285 p.
∴ At junction, hoop stress in outer cylinder is
b2 131657.14 p
= + a2 = + 1.285 p
2402 2402
= 3.57 p
Considering the circumferential strain, the compatibility equation is,
δr 1
= (f21 + f20)
r2 E
where f21 is compressive and f20 is tensile.
0.15 1
= [2.6 p + 3.57 p]
240 2 × 105
∴ p = 20.25 N/mm2
b1
f1 = + a1
1602
− 46082.94 × 20.25
= − 1.8 × 20.25
1602
= – 72.9 N/mm2
b1 − 46082.94 × 20.25
f2, inner = 2
+ a1 = − 1.8 × 20.25
240 2402
= 52.65 N/mm2
b2
f2, outer = + a2 = 3.57 p
2402
= 3.57 × 20.25 = 72.29 N/mm2
b2 131657.14 × 20.25
fouter = + a2 = + 1.285 × 20.25
3202 3202
= 52 N/mm2.
Problem 12. A spherical shell with internal diameter 320 mm and 640 mm external diameter is subjected
to an internal fluid pressure of 75 N/mm2. Find the hoop stresses developed at 40 mm interval across the
thickness.
Solution: r0 = 320 mm r1 = 160 mm p = 75 N/mm2

78
The radial pressure and the hoop stress at any radial distance x are given by,
2b b
px = 3 − a and fx = 3 + a
x x
Now, at x = 160 mm, px = 75 N/mm2
2b
∴ 75 = −a ... (1)
1603
At x = 320 mm, px = 0
2b
∴ 0 = −a ... (2)
3203
From equations (1) and (2), we get
 1 1 
75 = 2b  −
 160 3
3203 
∴ b = 175542857
From equation (2),
2 × 175542857
a = = 10.714
3203
175542857
f = + 10.714
x3
175542857
∴ f160 = + 10.714 = 53.57 N/mm2
1603
175542857
f200 = + 10.714 = 32.656 N/mm2
2003
175542857
f240 = + 10.714 = 23.41 N/mm2
2403
175542857
f280 = + 10.714 = 18.71 N/mm2
2803
175542857
f320 = + 10.714 = 16.071 N/mm2 Ans.
3203

79