MMEN 226

Thin Walled Pressure Vessels

 Introduction

Thin wall pressure vessels are widely used in

industry for storage and transportation of liquids
and gases when configured as tanks.
 Introduction
 Thin wall pressure vessels (TWPV) are widely used in industry for
storage and transportation of liquids and gases when configured
as tanks.
 Pressure vessels are made of cast iron, sheet steel and
nonferrous alloys.
 Special material is used for chemical vessels.
 Vessels of spherical and cylindrical form are used for storing
fluids (Liquids or gases) under pressure e.g. steam boilers, air
compressors, tanks and water tanks.
 When the fluid is a gas, the pressure is constant in all parts of
vessel.
 In case of liquid, the pressure is lowest at the top and
increases with depth.
 When the vessels are empty, they are subjected to an
atmospheric pressure both internally and externally and hence
the resultant effect of atmospheric pressure is nil.
 Thin Cylindrical Shells
 A cylindrical vessel or shell may be thin or thick depending upon the thickness of the plate in relation to
the internal diameter of the cylinder.
𝒕 𝟏
 For thin cylinders, the ration <
𝒅 𝟐𝟎

 In thin cylinders, the stress may be assumed uniformly distributed over the wall thickness.
 Boilers, tanks, steam pipes, water pipes etc. are usually considered as thin cylinders.
 Thin cylinders are frequently required to operate under pressures up to 30 MN/m2 or more, for high
pressures such as 250 MN/m2 or more, thick cylinders are used.
 When these cylinders are subjected to internal fluid pressures the following two types of stresses are
developed:
 Hoop or circumferential stresses.
 These act along the circumference of the shell.
 They are set up in the material of the cylinder
 Longitudinal stresses.
 These act parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shell.
 Radial stresses.
 These act radially and are too small and can be neglected.
 These three stresses are mutually perpendicular and are principal stresses.
 Thin Cylindrical Shells
Circumferential or Hoop Stresses
 Consider a thin cylindrical shell and let:
 𝒅 = internal diameter of the cylinder
 𝒕 = Thickness of the cylinder
 𝒑 = Internal pressure (gauge) in the cylinder
 𝝈𝒄 or 𝝈𝑯 = Circumferential or hoop stress

Bursting force (pressure) = Resisting strength

 Thin Cylindrical Shells
Longitudinal Stresses
 Suppose the cylinder under consideration has its two ends
covered with two end plates connected to them as shown..
Pressure on the ends = Resisting force
 Consider a thin cylindrical shell and let:
 𝒅 = internal diameter of the cylinder
 𝒕 = Thickness of the cylinder
 𝒑 = Internal pressure (gauge) in the cylinder
 𝝈𝒍 = Circumferential or hoop stress
Note
 It is evident that the circumferential stress (c )
is twice as great as the longitudinal stress (l)
 Therefore, in no case should the hoop stress be
greater than the permissible stress in the
material of the cylinder.
 Thin Cylindrical Shells
Maximum Shear Stresses
 In a cylindrical shell, at any point on its
circumference, there is a set of two mutually
perpendicular stresses c and l
 These stresses are principal stresses and as such
the planes in which these act are the principal
planes.
 The maximum shear stress is found as follows:
Design of Thin Cylindrical Shells
 In the design (wall thickness) of thin cylindrical
shells, the maximum stress developed in the shell
does not exceed the permissible tensile stress
(t) of the shell material.
 Since the circumferential or hoop stress is higher
one, therefore, the shell is designed on
circumferential stress basis.
where t is the required thickness
of the shell
 But circumferential c is not to exceed permissible
tensile stress t of the shell material.
 Thin Cylindrical Shells
Built-up Cylindrical Shells
 The formulae derived for c and l have been  Let
obtained with the presumption that the  𝜼𝒍 = efficiency of the longitudinal joint.
cylindrical shell is seamless i.e. solid drawn.
 𝜼𝒄 = efficiency of the circumferential joint.
 In actual practice, cylindrical shells of large
 Remember:
diameters, such as boiler shells, etc. are not
seamless (without joints), but instead are Bursting force (pressure) = Resisting strength
built-up by longitudinal and circumferential
joints.
 What is the effect of the joints?
 The longitudinal joints reduce the Pressure on the ends = Resisting force
resisting strength of the shell plate
against bursting
 Circumferential joints reduce the
resisting strength of the plate against
tearing due to pressure on the end
plates.
 Spherical Shells

 Consider a spherical shell shown below:  Let

 𝒅 = internal diameter of the spherical shell
 𝒕 = Thickness of the shell
 𝒑 = Internal pressure (gauge) in the shell
 𝝈𝒄 or 𝝈𝑯 = Circumferential or hoop stress

Bursting force (pressure) = Resisting strength

 The above equation for stress is true only when the

shell is seamless, but in case it is built-up, then

Where 𝜼 = efficiency of the circumferential joint

 Examples
1. A cylindrical pipe of diameter 1.5 m and thickness 1.5 cm is subjected to an internal fluid pressure of 1.2
N/mm2. Determine :
a. Longitudinal stress developed in the pipe
b. Circumferential stress developed in the pipe.

Circumferential stress (𝝈𝒄 or 𝝈𝟏 )

 Since the ratio is less

than this is a case of thin cylinder

Longitudinal stress (𝝈𝒍 or 𝝈𝟐 )

 Examples
2. A cylinder of internal diameter 2.5 m and of 3. A cylinder of internal diameter 0.50 m contains air at a
thickness 5 cm contains a gas. If the tensile pressure of 7 N/mm2 (gauge). If the maximum
stress in the material is not to exceed 80 permissible stress induced in the material is 80 N/mm2,
N/mm2, determine the internal pressure of find the thickness of the cylinder
the gas.
Solution
Solution
 The circumferential stress should not be greater than
 The circumferential stress should not be the maximum permissible stress.
greater than the maximum permissible
 Hence take circumferential stress equal to maximum
stress.
permissible stress.
 Hence take circumferential stress equal to
maximum permissible stress.

 If thickness is less than 2.188cm, stress induced will be

more than 80 N/mm2 while
 If thickness is more than 2.188cm, stress induced will
be less than 80 N/mm2. Hence take t = 2.2cm
 Examples
4. A thin cylinder of internal diameter 1.25 m contains a fluid at an internal pressure of 2 N/mm2. Determine the
maximum thickness of the cylinder if :
a. The longitudinal stress is not to exceed 30 N/mm2.
b. The circumferential stress is not to exceed 45 N/mm2.

Solution  Using the longitudinal stress  The longitudinal or

(𝝈𝒍 ) equation.. circumferential stresses
 Using the Circumferential stress
induced in the material are
(𝝈𝒄 or 𝝈𝟏 ) equation..
inversely proportional to the
thickness (t) of the cylinder.
 Hence the stress induced will
be less if the value of
thickness is more.
 Hence take the maximum value
of thickness from the two
equations
thickness = 2.77cm……= 2.8cm
 Examples
5. A water main 80 cm diameter contains water at a 6. Calculate the bursting pressure for a cold drawn
pressure head of 100 m. If the weight density of seamless steel tubing of 60mm inside diameter
water is 9810 N/m3, find the thickness of the with 2 mm wall thickness. The ultimate strength of
metal required for the water main. Given the steel is 380 MN/m2.
permissible stress as 20 N/mm2.

Solution Solution
 Weight density of water is:

 Permissible stress is equal to circumferential

stress i.e, 𝜎 = 20N/mm2
 Pressure of water inside the water main:
 Examples
7. A boiler shell is to be made of 15 mm thick plate having tensile stress of 120 MN/m2. If the efficiencies of
the longitudinal and circumferential joints are 70% and 30% respectively, determine:
a. Maximum permissible diameter of the shell for an internal pressure of 2 MN/m2.
b. Permissible intensity of internal pressure when the shell diameter is 1·5 m.

Solution (a)
 Using the Circumferential stress
(𝝈𝒄 or 𝝈𝟏 ) as 120 MN/m2 and p =
2MN/m2
 Using the longitudinal stress
(𝝈𝒍 ) as 120MN/m2 and p =
2MN/m2
 In order to satisfy both the
conditions, maximum diameter,
d = 1·08 m (minimum of the
above two values)
 Note. If we provide bigger
diameter (i.e. 1·26 m) then the
longitudinal stress will be (140
MN/m2 ) more than the
permissible stress
 Examples
7. A boiler shell is to be made of 15 mm thick plate having tensile stress of 120 MN/m2. If the efficiencies of
the longitudinal and circumferential joints are 70% and 30% respectively, determine:
a. Maximum permissible diameter of the shell for an internal pressure of 2 MN/m2.
b. Permissible intensity of internal pressure when the shell diameter is 1·5 m.

Solution (b)  Using the longitudinal stress  Hence, the permissible

(𝝈𝒍 ) as 120MN/m2 and d = 1.5m intensity of pressure, p = 1·44
 Using the Circumferential stress
MN/m2 (minimum of two
(𝝈𝒄 or 𝝈𝟏 ) as 120 MN/m2 and d =
values)
1.5m
 Examples
8. A cylinder of thickness 1.5 cm, has to withstand maximum internal pressure of 1.5 N/mm2. If the ultimate
tensile stress in the material of the cylinder is 300 N/mm2, factor of safety 3.0 and joint efficiency 80%,
determine the diameter of the cylinder.
Solution
 Working stress is:

 Note:
 Joint efficiency means the efficiency
of longitudinal joint.
 Therefore 𝜼𝒍 = 80%
 The stress corresponding to longitudinal
joint is hoop stress.
 Wire Wound Cylinders
 When thin cylindrical shell is subjected to internal fluid pressure, tensile circumferential stress is
developed, which is twice the longitudinal stress.

 Thus, the chances of bursting the cylinder longitudinally (as a result of hoop stress) are more than
those for circumferential failure (as a result of longitudinal stress) of the cylinder.

 Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the cylinder longitudinally (to prevent failure as a result of
hoop stress) for the following purposes:

a. To increase the pressure-carrying capacity of the cylinder;

b. To reduce the chances of longitudinal burst.

 The above objectives can be achieved by winding the cylinder with layers of wire kept under tension.

 A wire tightly wound around the cylinder being itself in tension gives rise to compressive stresses in
the cylinder which to a great extent neutralises the tensile stresses in the cylindrical shell.

 Fluid pressure inside the shell does increase the initial tensile stresses in the wire around the cylinder.
 Wire Wound Cylinders
 The resultant circumferential stress in the
cylinder is the sum of the initial compressive
stress due to wire winding and further tensile
stress due to internal pressure.

 The resultant circumferential stress in he wire is

the sum of two tensile stresses developed due:

 Wire winding under tension and

 Internal pressure in the cylinder.

 Thus the pressure-carrying capacity of the

cylindrical shell is increased.
 Exercise
1. A cylindrical water tank of height 25 m, inside 4. A spherical vessel 1.5 m diameter is subjected to
diameter 2.2 m, having vertical axis is open at the an internal pressure of 2 N/mm2. Find the
top. The tank is made of steel having yield stress thickness of the plate required if maximum
of 210 MN/m2. Determine the thickness of steel stress is not to exceed 150 N/mm2 and joint
used when the tank is full of water. Given: efficiency is 75%.
Efficiency of the longitudinal joint = 70 %; Factor
5. Determine the pressure required to burst a
of safety = 3.
standard DN200 Schedule 40 steel pipe if the
2. A cylindrical air drum is 2·25 m in diameter with ultimate tensile strength of the steel is 276
plates 1·2 cm thick. The efficiencies of the MPa. What is an allowable operating pressure?
longitudinal and circumferential joints are
respectively 75% and 40%. If the tensile stress in
the plating is to be limited to 120 MN/m2 find the
maximum safe air pressure.
3. A vessel in the shape of a spherical shell of 1.20 m
internal diameter and 12 mm shell thickness is
subjected to pressure of 1.6 N/mm2. Determine
the stress induced in the material of the vessel.
Exercise
 ROTATIONAL STRESSES IN THIN CYLINDERS
 Components such as rings, cylinders and flywheels, invariably
rotate at high speeds.
 Due to rotation they are subjected to large magnitudes of
centrifugal forces.
 The stresses caused by these forces are distributed
symmetrically about their axes of rotation.
 Consider a thin cylinder/ring/flywheel rotating at an angular
velocity ω about its axis.
Let:
r = Mean radius of the ring, m,
t = Thickness of the ring, m,
𝜌 = Density of the material of the ring,
kg/m3,
𝜔 = Angular speed of the ring,
radian/sec.,
Fc = Centrifugal force, and
𝜎 = Circumferential or hoop stress.

Rotating thin ring (element ABCD)

 ROTATIONAL STRESSES IN THIN CYLINDERS
 Consider a small element of the ring ABCD shown in the
fig**.
 As a result of rotation the element ABCD will experience
centrifugal (or inertia) force dFc which will tend to
expand the ring radially outwards.
 This centrifugal force dFc will in turn induce the
circumferential (or hoop stress) c in the ring which will
be tensile in nature.
 To evaluate the induced stress, the following assumptions
are made:
• The circumferential stress on the area of cross-
section of the ring is uniform.
• The dimensions of the cross-section of the ring are
small as compared to its mean radius.
• The constraining effect of spokes is negligible

Rotating thin ring (element ABCD)

 ROTATIONAL STRESSES IN THIN CYLINDERS
 The forces acting on the element are: c.
a. Centrifugal force acting radially outwards
 Mass (m) of the element per unit length
Tensile force due to hoop stress (σ) on the
face CD.
 This force is equal to (σ × t ×1) and acts
perpendicular to face CD.

 Horizontal component:

 Radial component:
 Centrifugal force on element ABCD
 The horizontal components of the tensile forces on
the face AB and CD are equal and opposite.
b. Tensile force due to hoop stress (σ) on the
 The radial components are acting towards centre
face AB.
and they will be added.
 This force is equal to (σ × t ×1) and acts
perpendicular to face AB.

 Horizontal component:

 Radial component
ROTATIONAL STRESSES IN THIN CYLINDERS
 Resolving the forces radially for equilibrium, we get:

sum of vertical components of

Centrifugal force = the tensile forces on face AB
and CD

 As δθ is very small,

 The above is the exression for hoop stress produced in a thin

cylinder due to rotation.
 It can also be be used approximately for rim-type flywheels.
 Examples
1. A rim-type flywheel is rotating at a speed of 2400
r.p.m. If the mean diameter of the flywheel is 750
mm and density of the material of the wheel is
8000 kg/m3, then find the hoop stress produced in
the rim due to rotation.
Solution
2. If in example 1 Elastic modulus = 200 GN/m2 then
what will be the change in diameter of the
flywheel due to rotation.
Solution
 The circumferential strain due to hoop stress
𝑒 =

𝑒 =

3. Find the speed of rotation of a wheel of
diameter 750 mm, if the hoop stress is
not to exceed 120 MN/m2. The wheel
has a thin rim and density of the wheel
is 7200 kg/ m3.
Solution
Examples
4. A wheel 800 mm in diameter has a thin rim. If density is 7700
kg/m3 and E = 200 GN/m2, calculate:
a. How many revolutions per minute may it make without the
hoop stress exceeding 130 MN/m2 ?
b. Change in diameter.
Neglect the effect of spokes.
5. The figure below shows a built-up ring. If the ring rotates at
2000 r.p.m. find the stresses set up in steel and copper rings.
Thank You !!