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Lesson 7
External Pressure Calculations
UG – 28 Thickness of Shells and Tubes
Under External Pressure
Page 24 Section VIII
(a) Rules for the design of shells and tubes under external
pressure given in this Division are limited to cylindrical
shells, with or without stiffening rings, tubes, and
spherical shells…..
(b) The symbols defined below are used in the procedures
of this paragraph:
A = factor determined from Fig. G in Subpart 3 of Section
II, Part D and used to enter the applicable material chart
in Subpart 3 of Section II, Part D……
B = factor determined from the applicable material chart
in Subpart 3 of Section II, Part D for maximum design
metal temperature, psi .
UG – 28
Step 3. Continued.
From this point of intersection move vertically downward to
determine the value of factor A.
Step 4
Using the value of A calculated in Step 3, enter the
applicable material chart in Subpart 3 of Section II, Part D
for the material under consideration. Move vertically to an
intersection with the material/temperature line for the design
temperature see UG-20). Interpolation may be made
between lines for intermediate temperatures. In cases
where the value of A falls to the right of the end of the
material /temperature line, assume an intersection with the
horizontal projection of the upper end of the
material/temperature line.
4B
Pa =
3(Do )
t
4 x 12,000 48,000
Pa = 800 psi
3 x 20 60
UG – 28
All that work just to find Factor B is and plug it into the
simple formula below.
4B
Pa =
3(Do )
t
As regards the final answers to these problems, because of
the difficulty of being precise with the Fig. G there will always
be some difference from one person to the next in the
determination of Factor A. This is allowed for on the exam by
listing choices of answers that are in a range of +/- 5%. In our
previous problem the answer was 800 psi, on the exam the
correct choice would have been offered as 760 to 840 psi, i.e.
Answer Range: 760 – 840 psi
To Summarize UG-28
Do 40
= = 32
t 1.25
Do 54
= = 48.08
t 1.123
4x15,000 60,000
Pa = = = 416.66 psi
3(48) 144