Elastic-Plastic Analysis of Some Pressure Vessel Heads

Abstract

Sixteen ASME standard torispherical heads attached to cylinders and subjected to internal pressure are analyzed as elastic and/or elastic-plastic shells using a new finite element. As basic elements, thin-walled frusta with curved meridians having common tangents and radii at the nodal circles are employed assuring good accuracy of the results. In the plastic analysis each wall-thickness was subdivided into concentric lamina in order to monitor the behavior of the material. The incremental law of plasticity in conjunction with the Mises yield condition and the associated flow rule were used in the inelastic range. The results of the analysis are presented in detail and are compared with the provisions of the ASME Pressure Vessel Code.