Time-dependent creep analysis and life assessment of 304 L austenitic stainless steel thick pressurized truncated conical shells

Abstract

This paper presents a semi-analytical solution for the creep analysis and life assessment of 304L austenitic stainless steel thick truncated conical shells using multilayered method based on the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). The cone is subjected to the non-uniform internal pressure and temperature gradient. Damages are obtained in thick truncated conical shell using Robinson's linear life fraction damage rule, and time to rupture and remaining life assessment is determined by Larson-Miller Parameter (LMP). The creep response of the material is described by Norton's law. In the multilayer method, the truncated cone is divided into n homogeneous disks, and n sets of differential equations with constant coefficients. This set of equations is solved analytically by applying boundary and continuity conditions between the layers. The results obtained analytically have been compared with the numerical results of the finite element method. The results show that the multilayered method based on FSDT has an acceptable amount of accuracy when one wants to obtain radial displacement, radial, circumferential and shear stresses. It is shown that non-uniform pressure has significant influences on the creep damages and remaining life of the truncated cone.