Stresses and Displacements in Vessels due to Loads Imposed by Single and Multiple Piping Attachments

Abstract

The Fourier solution for thin shell equations models pressure vessels as continuous simply connected surfaces with local loads. The technique allows placement of tractions with combinations of radial, shear, and axial components. Unlike Bijlaard, the solution in this paper includes loads placed at any position along the cylinder. Stiffness and the enhanced load-carrying capacity that internal pressure gives to thin vessels can be simulated. Numerical convergence problems are reduced by an improved displacement-load algorithm, and by use of load sites that allow the circular functions to be compactly grouped. A variety of loading distributions may be analyzed including large and small nozzles near and away from centerlines. Both rectangular and circular attachments are simulated. Through superposition, multiple attachments with their own loads may be examined. The attachments to the vessel may be either rigid or soft. A comparison to analytical results from Bijlaard shows excellent agreement. Comparisons with experimental tests on an API-650 nozzle on a storage tank are in good agreement. Variations between experimental and calculated results are primarily caused by assuming a simply supported base in the calculation, whereas in the experimental test, the base is more nearly fixed.