Abstract
Nonlinear FEA requires careful engineering judgement, experience and powerful analysis software. This paper presents two pressure vessel problems, where the large displacement and plastic straining response of the structure is simulated by geometrically and materially nonlinear finite element analysis. The first application case involves the limit load prediction of imperfect tubes (with ovalized cross-sectional shape) under external pressure and discusses the accuracy of the pressure vessel code formula. The second case simulates the large-strain cold-deforming process of a pressure vessel made from a strain-hardening steel. In each case, special aspects and pitfalls of a nonlinear analysis have been discussed and some recommendations are given to the stress analyst.
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