Evaluation of the optimum pre-stressing pressure and wall thickness determination of thick-walled spherical vessels under internal pressure

Abstract

In the present study, in the first part for a spherical vessel with known dimensions and working pressure, two methods of hoop and equivalent stress optimization across the wall thickness are employed to determine the best autofrettage pressure. In the next part for a predefined working pressure the minimum wall thickness of the vessel is calculated using two other design criteria i.e. (A) optimizing the hoop stress, and (B) assuming a suitable percent for the penetration of yielding within the wall thickness. Finally, the optimum thickness and the necessary strengthening pressure are extracted and different plots are introduced for different types of structural materials under different internal pressures.