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Module 2.1 Thin-Walled Pressure

Vessels

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session the students should be able to:

1. be familiar with the concept of thin-walled pressure vessels;

2. learn the difference between longitudinal stress and hoop stress in thin-walled pressure
vessels; and
3. calculate the stresses on the thin-walled pressure vessels

Thin-Walled Pressure Vessel

Pressure vessels are closed structures containing liquids or gases under pressure. Familiar
examples include tanks, pipes, and pressurized cabins in aircraft and space vehicles. When
pressure vessels have walls that are thin in comparison to their overall dimensions, they are
included within a more general category known as shell structures. The term thin-walled is not
precise, but as a general rule, pressure vessels are considered to be thin-walled when the ratio
of radius r to wall thickness t is greater than 10.

Cylindrical Vessels

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Fig.1.3-1

We begin our analysis of cylindrical vessels (See Fig.1.3-1) by determining the normal stresses
in thin-walled circular tank AB subjected to internal pressure (Fig. 1.3-2a). A stress element
with its faces parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the tank is shown on the wall of the tank.
The normal stresses and acting on the side faces of this element are the membrane
stresses in the wall.

Because of their directions, the stress is called the circumferential stress or the hoop stress,
and the stress , is called the longitudinal or the axial stress. Each of these stresses can be
calculated from equilibrium by using appropriate free-body diagrams.

Circumferential Stress (also known as hoop stress or tangential stress)

To determine the circumferential stress , we make two cuts (mn and pq) perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis and distance b apart(Fig. 1.3-2a). Then we make a third cut in a vertical plane
through the longitudinal axis of the tank, resulting in the free body shown in Fig. 1.3-2b. This
free body consists not only of the half-circular piece of the tank but also of the fluid contained
within the cuts. Acting on the longitudinal cut (plane mpqn) are the circumferential stress
and the internal pressure

The circumferential stresses acting in the wall of the vessel have a resultant equal to
where t is the thickness of the wall. Also, the resultant force of the internal
pressure is equal to , where r is the inner radius of the cylinder. Hence, we have the
following equation of equilibrium:

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Fig.1.3-2

Eq.1.3-1

Longitudinal Stress (also known as axial stress)

The longitudinal stress is obtained from the equilibrium of a free body of the part of the
vessel to the left of cross section mn (Fig.1.3-2c), Again, the free body includes not only part of
the tank but also its contents. The stresses act longitudinally and have a resultant force
equal to

The resultant force of the internal pressure is a force equal to Thus, the equation of
equilibrium for the free body is

Eq.1.3-2

Spherical Vessels

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Fig.1.3-3

A sphere is theoretically ideal shape for a vessel that resists internal pressure. To determine
the stresses in a spherical vessel, let us cut through the sphere on a vertical diametral plane
Fig. 8-3a and isolate half of the shell and its fluid contents as a single free bodyFig8.3b. Acting
on this free body are the tensile stress in the wall of the vessel and the fluid pressure . This
pressure acts horizontally against the plane circular area of fluid remaining inside the
hemisphere. Since the pressure is uniform, the resultant pressure force P (Fig. 8-3b) is

where r is the inner radius of the sphere.

The resultant of the tensile stresses in the wall is a horizontal force equal to the stress
times the area over which it acts, or

Thus, equilibrium forces in the horizontal direction gives

Eq.1.3-3

Please note that the radius and diameter to be used in formulas Eq.1.3-1,Eq.1.3-2 and
Eq.1.3-3 must be inside dimensions

Illustrative Problems

Problem 1

Determine the axial stress and the hoop stress in the 200mm diameter cylindrical body of a
scuba tank with an internal pressure of 11 MPa and a thickness of 9mm.

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Solution

Problem 2

A large spherical tank (see figure) contains gas at a pressure of 570MPa. The tank is 19
meters in diameter and is constructed of high-strength steel having a yield stress in tension of
570 MPa, and the factor of safety is 3.0. Determine the required thickness to the nearest
millimeter

Solution:

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Problem 3

A cylindrical tank with hemispherical heads is constructed of steel sections that are welded
circumferentially (see figure). The tank diameter is 1.25m, the wall thickness is 22mm, and the
internal pressure is 1750 kPa

(a) Determine the maximum tensile stress in the heads of the tank

(b) Determine the maximum tensile stress in the cylindrical part of the tank

(c) Determine the tensile stress acting perpendicular to the welded joints

Solution

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DOWNLOADABLE LINK:MODULE1.3.docx (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/37322/files

/15708266/download?wrap=1) (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/37322/files/15708266
/download?download_frd=1)

Reference:

Gere, J.M., & Goodno, B.J. (2009). Mechanics of Materials Seventh Edition. Cengage Learning

Hibbeler, R.C. (2014). Mechanics of Materials Ninth. Pearson Prentice Hall

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