Finite Element Analysis of Torispherical Shell

Abstract

Pressure vessels with torispherical heads are used in several engineering applications particularly in rocket motor casting; LPG storage cylinder and fuel storage tanks, and Also used to minimize the length of the storage tanks and launch vehicle. The torispherical pressure vessel head has been taken for stress analysis. From strength point of view, in torispherical head, the knuckle region becomes critical and controls the design. Effect of torispherical head on the buckling of pressure vessels was investigated by finite element (FE) method. The FE method with use of nonlinear buckling analysis was applied to predict the critical buckling Load. The influences of geometrical parameter such as thickness, knuckle radius and diameter of cylindrical part, on the buckling of heads have been studied.

The ax symmetric four node and incompatible solid elements are used in commercial ANSYS 12.0 FEA package for analysis.

For torispherical head with cylindrical vessel carried out an experiment studies on torispherical head models by photo elastic method. Using their nominal dimensional parameter r/D, t/D, R/D and h/D the shell is modeled. Axial stress and hoop stress and deflection values of inner and outer surface of the vessel are plotted near the junction of the crown to the knuckle to cylinder.