Elasto-plastic analyses of cylindrical pressure vessels with reversed dished ends

Abstract

Finite element stress analyses are presented which allow for elastic and elasto-plastic material behaviour for axisymmetric problems of pressure vessels using isoparametric quadrilateral elements with linear, parabolic and cubic displacements. The traditional method of analysis and design of cylindrical pressure vessels with reversed dished ends is based on the well known British Standard BS 5500 Code. 1 The stresses and displacements, especially at and near the junctions, are of great interest to designers. In view of the immense usefulness of such containers, a detailed post yield study has been made based on the stress-strain idealisation for isotropic strain hardening materials—H′= 0·0047E and Von Mises and Tresca yield criteria. The basis for the prediction of load increment sizes for the elasto-plastic analysis and the upper bound for collapse pressure are presented, as well as the excessive deformation and shakedown criteria suitable for the design of reversed dished end containers.