67017

ELASTIC STRESSES IN THE TORISPHERICAL HEAD OF A PRESSURE VESSEL OF

UNIFORM THICKESS

1. NOTATION

D mean diameter of cylinder m in

fi stress in head inner surface at centre of crown N/m2 lbf/in2

f iφ maximum meridional stress in head inner surface remote from N/m2 lbf/in2
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centre of crown

f nom p(D – t) N/m2 lbf/in2

nominal hoop stress in cylinder, ----------------------
2t

f0 stress in head outer surface at centre of crown N/m2 lbf/in2

f 0φ minimum meridional stress in head outer surface remote from N/m2 lbf/in2
centre of crown

f 0θ minimum hoop stress in head outer surface remote from centre N/m2 N/in2
of crown

h head depth measured from junction plane of knuckle and m in

cylinder to median surface at centre of crown,
R – ( R – D/2 ) ( R + D/2 – 2r )

L length of cylinder m in

L min theoretical minimum length of cylinder m in

p uniform gauge pressure on head and cylinder N/m2 N/in2

R crown radius of head median surface m in

r knuckle radius of head median surface m in

t thickness of head and cylinder m in

Convention: Tensile stresses are positive

Compressive stresses are negative
Internal pressure is positive.

Both SI and British units are quoted but any coherent system of units may be used.

2. NOTES

Curves are given that enable the maximum and minimum (maximum compressive) stresses due to uniform
pressure to be determined for an unpierced torispherical head closure to a cylindrical shell of the same
thickness.
Issued November 1967

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  67017
In Figures 2 to 11 f/fnom is plotted against h/D for various values of t/D. The curves are grouped for common
values of r/D. Table 2.1 shows the figure to be used for a particular stress and r/D value.

TABLE 2.1

Number of figure giving:

r/D
f iφ , f i & f 0φ f 0 & f 0θ

0.04 2 3
0.06 4 5
0.08 6 7
0.12 8 9
0.16 10 11
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The curves relate equally to shells under internal or external pressure but in the latter case it should be noted
that fnom is compressive and therefore negative. Sketch 2.1 shows the stress systems in the shell under
uniform internal pressure.

Sketch 2.1

In most cases the maximum tensile stress in the head is f iφ which occurs in the knuckle, or in the crown
near the knuckle. In a few cases, notably thicker heads with a large knuckle radius but shallow crown (large
t/D, large r/D, small h/D) the maximum tensile stress in the head may be f0 which occurs at the crown
centre. Generally the maximum compressive stress is f 0φ or f 0θ .

The curves in this Item apply only to stresses within the elastic range of the material. They are based on
linear thin shell theory and do not therefore apply above t/D = 0.1 or t/r = 0.2.

This Item applies only to heads with cylinders of sufficient length that negligible interaction occurs between
the discontinuity effects of the two ends of the pressure vessel. The minimum cylinder lengths for which
the Item may be used without encountering significant error due to interaction are shown on Figure 1, where
Lmin/D is plotted against t/D.

2
  67017
Head instability is not considered in this Item. For very thin heads under uniform internal pressure
( t/D ≈ 0.001 ) elastic instability can occur in the hoop direction in the region of the knuckle. This
condition is considered in the references quoted.

It is possible for the cylinder under external pressure to collapse before the head stresses quoted here exceed
the permissible stress, particularly for long thin cylinders (small t/D) with deep heads (large h/D). Data
Sheet 04.09.01 (in the Structures Sub-Series) may be consulted on the collapse pressure of cylinders.

By comparison with experimental results in which the basic assumptions of the present analysis are
approximately satisfied it appears that the maximum stress does not vary by more than 10 per cent from
the theoretical values shown here.
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3. DERIVATION

1. CARLSON, W.B. Cylindrical pressure vessels: stress systems in plain cylindrical shells and in
McKEAN, J.D. plain and pierced drumheads. Proc. Instn mech. Engrs, Vol. 169, No. 2,
1955.
2. TURNER, C.E. Study of the symmetrical elastic loading of some shells of revolution with
special reference to toroidal elements. J. mech. Eng. Sci., Vol. 1, No. 2,
1959.
3. PILGRIM, W.R. Unpublished Report No. RD/C/N/22, Computer program for elastic analysis
CHEUNG, J.S.T. of pressure vessels. Central Electricity Generating Board, 1965.
MARCAL, P.V.
4. HAMADA, M. On the numerical solutions of the Naghdi's equations for the axially
MORITA, Y. symmetric shell. Bull. Japan Soc. mech. Engrs, Vol. 8, No. 32, pp.532-539,
1965.
5. FESSLER, H. Stresses in torispherical drumheads: a photoelastic investigation. J. Strain
STANLEY, P. Analysis, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp.69-82, 1965.
6. WHITLOCK, D. Unpublished Report ICI/K/12602, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd, 1965.
7. FINDLY, G.E. Elastic stresses in torispherical drumheads: experimental verification. To be
MOFFAT, D.G. published.
STANLEY, P.

4. REFERENCES

1. GALLETLY, G.D. Torispherical shells, a caution to designers. Trans. am. Soc. mech. Engrs,
Vol. 81, Series B, No. 1, February 1959.
2. MESCALL, J. Stability of thin torispherical shells under uniform internal pressure. NASA
TN D-1510, 1962.
3. THURSTON, G.A. Buckling of cylindrical shell end closures by internal pressure. NASA
CR-540, 1966.

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  67017
5. EXAMPLE

A cylindrical pressure vessel with a torispherical head closure is subjected to a uniform internal pressure
of 80 lbf/in2 gauge. It is required to find the maximum stresses in the head if the mean diameter of the shell
is 50 in, the mean crown radius is 72 in, the mean knuckle radius is 4.5 in, the thickness of the head and
cylinder is 0.375 in, and the cylinder length is 24 in.

The parameters required for use of the Item are tabulated.

r
---- 0.09
D
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h
---- 0.154
D

t
---- 0.0075
D

p
f nom = ----- ( D – t ) 5290 lbf/in2
2t

L
---- 0.48
D

From Figure 1, for t/D = 0.0075,

L min
----------- = 0.29 .
D

Hence, the remaining curves may be used to analyse the pressure vessel head.

As the values r/D = 0.09 and t/D = 0.0075 cannot be read directly off the figures it is necessary to interpolate
to find the stresses for the value of h/D = 0.154 given.

Method of interpolation

The following procedure is carried out for each stress f.

(1) At each value of r/D, a curve is drawn of f/fnom against t/D for the given value of h/D (0.154).

There are only 4 curves in this Example since the curves for r/D = 0.16 do not descend to
h/D = 0.154.

(2) The value of f/fnom when t/D = 0.0075 is taken from each of the above 4 curves and these values
of f/fnom are plotted against r/D.

(3) The value of f/fnom when r/D = 0.09 may then be found.

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  67017
The values obtained by interpolation are tabulated.

Figures used Stress ratio Stress lbf/in2

f iφ
2, 4, 6, 8 ----------- 4.65 f iφ 24 600
f nom

fi
2, 4, 6, 8 ----------- 1.56 fi 8 250
f nom

f 0φ
2, 4, 6, 8 ----------- –2.95 f 0φ –15 600
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f nom

f0
3, 5, 7, 9 ----------- 1.33 f0 7 050
f nom

f 0θ
3, 5, 7, 9 ----------- –3.87 f 0θ –20 500
f nom

It will be seen from the tabulation that the maximum stress is f iφ = 24 600 lbf/in2.

5
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6
FIGURE 1
67017
  67017
10

fiφ
8
fnom

6
t
D
0.002
t 0.004
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4 D 0.006
0.002 0.008
0.004
0.006
0.008
fi
fnom 2

0
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22

h
D

-2 t
D
0.008
0.006
0.004

-4 0.002

foφ
fnom

-6

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 2 ---- = 0.04
D

7
  67017
10

fo
fnom
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t
D
4
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008

0
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22
h
D t
D
-2
0.008
0.006

0.004
-4

foθ 0.002
fnom

-6

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 3 ---- = 0.04
D

8
  67017
10

t
D
fiφ
8 0.002
fnom
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.010
0.012
6

t
D
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4 0.012
0.010
0.008
0.006
0.004
fi
fnom 2

0.002

0
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22
h
D

-2

-4 t
D
foφ 0.002
fnom 0.004
0.006
0.008
-6 0.010
0.012

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 4 ---- = 0.06
D

9
  67017
10

t
fo
D
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fnom
4 0.012
0.010
0.008
0.006
0.002

0
0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22
h
D t
D
0.012
-2 0.010
0.008
0.006
0.004

-4 0.002

foθ
fnom

-6

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 5 ---- = 0.06
D

10
  67017

10

t
D
fiφ
fnom 8
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.010
0.012
6 0.016
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t
4 D
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.010
fi 0.012
0.016
fnom 2

0
0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24
h
D

-2

t
D
0.016
-4 0.012
0.010
foφ 0.008
0.006
fnom 0.004
0.002
-6

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 6 ---- = 0.08
D

11
  67017
10

t
6 D

fo 0.016
fnom 0.012
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0.010
4 0.006
0.004
0.002

0
0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24
h
D
0.016
0.012
0.010
0.008
-2 0.006
0.004
0.002
t
D
-4

foθ
fnom

-6

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 7 ---- = 0.08
D

12
  67017
10

fiφ t
8 D
fnom
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
6 0.010
0.012
0.016
0.020
0.024
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4 t
D
0.002
0.006
fi 0.010
0.012
fnom 2 0.016
0.020
0.024

0.25 0.27
0
0.15 0.17 0.19 h 0.21 0.23 0.002
D 0.024
0.010

t
-2 D

t
-4 D

foφ 0.024
fnom 0.020
0.016
0.012
-6 0.010
0.008
0.006
0.004
0.002

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 8 ---- = 0.12
D

13
  67017
10

6 t
D
fo
0.024
fnom 0.020
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0.016
0.012
4 0.010
0.008
0.006
0.002

0
0.15 0.17 0.19 h 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.27
D

-2

t
D
-4 0.002
0.004
foθ 0.006
0.008
fnom 0.010
0.012
0.016
-6 0.020
0.024

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 9 ---- = 0.12
D

14
  67017

10

t
D
fiφ
8 0.002
fnom 0.004
0.006
0.008
0.010
0.012
0.016
6 0.020
0.024
0.028
0.032
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4
t
D
0.002
0.004
fi 0.008
0.010
fnom 2 0.012
0.016
0.020
0.024
0.028 0.032
h
0.24 D 0.26 0.28 0.30
0 0.002
0.006
0.18 0.20 0.22 0.032
t
D

-2
t
D
0.032
0.028
-4 0.024
0.020
foφ 0.016
0.012
fnom 0.010
0.008
0.006
-6 0.004
0.002

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 10 ---- = 0.16
D

15
  67017
10

fo
8
fnom t
D
0.032
0.024
0.020
6
0.016
0.012
0.010
0.008
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0.006
0.004
4
0.002

0.28 0.30
0
0.18 0.20 0.22 h 0.24 0.26
D

-2

t
D
0.032
-4 0.028
0.024
0.020
foθ 0.016
fnom 0.012
0.010
0.008
-6 0.006
0.004
0.002

-8

-10

r
FIGURE 11 ---- = 0.16
D

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  67017
THE PREPARATION OF THIS DATA ITEM

The work on this particular Item was monitored and guided by the Stress Analysis and Strength of
Components Committee which has the following constitution.

Chairman
Mr H.L. Cox – National Physical Laboratory

Vice-Chairman
Mr G.P. Smedley – Lloyd’s Register of Shipping

Members
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Prof. J.M. Alexander – Imperial College of Science and Technology

Mr A.J. Batchelor – Imperial Chemical Industries
Mr C.E. Day – National Coal Board
Mr J.R. Dixon – National Engineering Laboratory
Mr H. Fessler – University of Nottingham
Mr N.E. Frost – National Engineering Laboratory
Dr R.B. Heywood – A. Macklow-Smith Ltd
Mr M.J. Kemper – A.P.V. Company Ltd
Mr J. Spence – University of Strathclyde
Mr J.V. Vint – Davy and United Engineering Company Ltd.

The members of staff of ESDU concerned were:

Mr E.R. Welbourne – Head of Solid Body Mechanics Group

Mr R.L. Penning – Solid Body Mechanics Group.

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