Equivalent torispherical pressure vessel heads

Abstract

Lower bounds to limit pressures for ellipsoidal and torispherical heads of cylindrical shells have been calculated using a numerical optimisation technique. These have been used to explore the ideas of equivalence between torispherical and ellipsoidal heads. The geometrical proportions of torispherical heads which have optimum limit pressures have been found and these are compared with the results of three geometrical criteria of ‘equivalence’.