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Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal
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Int. J. Mech. Eng. Autom. International Journal of
Volume 3, Number 6, 2016, pp. 239-248 Mechanical Engineering
Received: April 25, 2016; Published: June 25, 2016 and Automation

Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with

Pressure and Thermal Effects

Bhargavi Baaji1, Konapalli Saraswathamma2, Radhakrishna Madabhushi2 and Shankarachar Sutar2

1. University College of Engineering, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500007, India
2. Design & Engineering Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
Corresponding author: Radhakrishna Madabhushi (mradhakrishna@iict.res.in)

Abstract: This paper presents an analytical procedure for estimation of the radial and circumferential stresses in spherical pressure
vessels under thermal and pressure loadings. The study includes in understanding the temperature distribution across the elemental
section, for estimation of hoop and radial stresses under combined pressure and temperature loadings. A finite element model is
simulated using ABAQUS to find the stress distribution under the combined effect of thermal and pressure loadings. The
VON-MISES yield criterion determines the stress distribution. The equations derived are functions of temperature and radius of the
wall. Results for transient temperature, stress and displacement of the vessel wall is found theoretically and compared with FEM, and
have shown good agreement.

Keywords: Hoop stress, pressure vessel, radial stress, spherical, temperature.

ΔV Volume element
Nomenclature
Cp Specific heat
A Area Ra Inner radius
a Inner radius Rb Outer radius
b Outer radius
1. Introduction
F Force
h Conduction heat transfer coefficient PVs (pressure vessels) are widely used in chemical
I Time moment and petroleum industries, and in nuclear power plants.
K Conduction heat transfer coefficient They are usually subjected to high pressures and
m Node temperatures, which may be of constant time duration
P Pressure or frequent cycles of start-ups and shut-downs.
q Heat flux p Factors such as the material of construction of the
r Radius pressure vessel, the shape, which in present case is
t Time spherical, chemical composition and physical
T Temperature properties of the substances stored, etc. govern the
U Radial displacement performance of pressure vessels.
V Volume The pressure vessels are designed with utmost care,
Y Young’s modulus because any rupture means, release of all the stored
ΔA Area element contents, if flammable can lead to an explosion, or
Δt Time element toxic, both will cause loss of life and property. The
materials of pressure vessels are generally ductile such
240 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects
as austenitic type stainless steels and mild steels.
Cylindrical or spherical pressure vessels (e.g.,
hydraulic cylinders, gun barrels, pipes, boilers and
tanks) are used in industry to store both liquids and
gases under pressure. When the pressure vessel is
subjected to internal/external pressures, the material
undergoes deformation, and hence stresses, in all
directions. The normal stresses resulting from this
pressure are functions of the radius of the element
under consideration, the shape of the pressure vessel
as well as the applied pressure.
In certain applications, the pressure vessels store
contents under high pressure and temperature
environment, and so the combined effect of pressure
and temperature gains importance.
Two types of analyses are commonly applied to
pressure vessels. The most common method is based
on a simple mechanics approach and is applicable to
thin-walled pressure vessels which by definition have
a ratio of inner radius ri, to wall thickness t, i.e., ri/t is
10. The second method is based on elasticity solution
and is always applicable regardless of the r/t ratio and
can be referred to as the solution for thick-walled
pressure vessels. FEA (finite element analysis) tool is
applied to simulate the conditions under study and
determine the stresses.
2. Literature
Design and analysis of spherical pressure vessels
was studied by Afkar [1] he developed a new
analytical method for calculating temperature stress
and strain. The effect of combined loading, i.e.,
structural and thermal was dealt briefly by Whally [2].
Elastic-plastic analysis of spherical pressure vessels
was studied by Akis [3], who had considered elastic,
partially plastic and fully plastic stress states of
internally pressurized spherical vessels. The behaviour
of pressure vessel in case of fluctuating load is studied
by Vyas and Solanki [4]. Process equipment was
designed by Joshi [5]. A study on failure criteria of
spherical pressure vessels is discussed by Yoon [6].
The stress analysis of thick walled cylinders with
variable internal pressure is considered to conduct
elastic analysis of uniform cylinder and cylinder with
holes. It is predicted both from theory (lame’s
formulae) & finite element method by Nath [7].
The spherical pressure vessel FE analysis a contact
elements were tested to determine their usefulness in
modeling, the interaction between pressure vessel
cylinder walls and end caps are studied by Heckman
[8].
A vertical pressure vessel has been designed using
graphical based software named PVElite. For
designing of vertical leg supported pressure vessel
some input parameters like volume, inside diameter,
design pressure (either inside pressure or external
pressure), temperature, material, processing fluid. Etc.
is required by Vyas et al. [9]. Stress distribution in the
spherical vessel shell is calculated according to
membrane shell theory. By using of the Mises strength
theory, the functional relations of both equivalent
stress and pressure vessel mass with wall thickness
were studied by Kozak et al. [10]. The Tresca yield
condition used in this study. When the applied
pressure exceeds the minimum pressure required to
initiate the yielding at the inner radius, plastic zone
starts to be formed. The residual stress components
also were calculated using elastic and elasto-plastic
solution results by Mailak [11].
3. Mathematical Model
We know the following from first principles as
referred in Figs. 1 and 2 for below derivation:
= Hoop stress; = Hoop strain;
= Radial stress; = Radial strain
change in length ( + )d − d
= =
original length d
= = (1)
( )
= = = (2)
where dr is sectional thickness, r—radius, —radial
pressure; —stress at radius r.
 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects 241

Neglecting the product that has very small

quantities, we get
d
2 = −2 −
d
( )
= (5)

3.1 Circumferential Strain

When pressure is applied on the inner radius,

radically there will be an increase in inner dimensions
and decrease in thickness
Hence,
Fig. 1 Stresses in spherical PV.
=− − + ( − ) (6)

3.2 Radial Strain

=− ( +2 ) (7)

We know that radial strain

= + (8)

Sub Eqs. (6) and (7) in Eq. (8),

(1 + )( + )+ (1 − ) + = 0 (9)

From Eq. (5),

d
Fig. 2 Sectional figure of spherical PV. =− −
2d
So, the stress distribution is represented as Differentiating Eq. (5),
r + dr = +d d d 1 d d
Now, let = circumferential stress. =− − +
d d 2 d d
As we are considering spherical pressure vessels,
circumferential stresses will be equal in all direction. Substituting and in Eq. (9),
Bursting force = π − ( + d ) π ( + d ) (3) d d d d d
Resisting force = 2π d (4) − − − − − +
2d 2d d 2 d 2d
For equilibrium, d d d d
+ + + =0
Bursting force = Resisting force d 2 d 2d d
π − ( + d )π( + d ) = 2π d Neglecting small quantities,
On simplification and dividing the equation with d d
+2 =0
r·dr, we get 2 d d
d d d
2 =2 − − − − 2d +4 =0 (10)
d d
242 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects

Let And at r = and = 0, substituting in Eq. (2),

2B
= ; +4 =0 A =

Multiply the above equation with : Substituting in Eq. (14),

3 3
d d d 1 2
∗ +4 = 0 B = 3− 3 (15)
d 2 1 2

Dividing with v and integrating, Substituting B1 in A1,

d d
= −4
A1 = = (16)
log = −4 log + log
Substituting Eqs. (15) and (16) in Eqs. (12) and
log = log ; =
(13),
where 2 ( ) ( )
= −
2( − ) ( − )
= ; = ; d =
−1
By integrating the above equation, =
−1
d
d =
Considering both internal and external pressure, we
get the stresses in radial and circumferential directions
= + (11)
as
From Eq. (5),
1 d Radial stress = −
=− −
2 d
Sub in Eq. (5), we get
− Circumferential stress = −
= −
6
Now,
−1
= +
3
− Considering spherical pressure vessel up to elastic
= −
6 limit, we assume, a = r.
Let = −6B , = -A1 The section below considers the temperature effect,
by applying the first principles of convection and
= −A (12)
conduction mode of heat transfer.

= +A (13) 3.3 Convection

where A1 and B1 are constants. At inner radius r = The present work considers convective heat transfer
and = . from fluid to the inner wall. For convection heat
Substituting in Eq. (12), transfer rate is given by the equations:

= −A (14) = (17)
 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects 243

= ℎ ∆ (18) As the temperature varies linearly, from Eq. (19),

Considering Eqs. (17) and (18), we get we get
Δ = 500(0) + 500 = 500 °K (20)
ℎ ∆ =
Δ In subsequent layers, the heat transfer is through the
The temperature distribution given by Afkar et al. thickness and is conduction heat transfer, which takes
[1], considers conduction and convection at the outer place from layer to layer (i.e., solid element to solid
layer, and only conduction mode at inner layer. The element):
present study considers a linear decrease of
= (21)
temperature at inner wall and convection at the outer
wall. And
Considering a spherical pressure vessel as shown in
= (22)
Fig. 3 for calculating temperature variation in the
spherical pressure vessel from inner to outer, the
sphere is divided into equal parts.
The inner radius and wall thickness of the vessel are
190 mm and 10 mm respectively. The temperature
from inner wall to outer is assumed to have an
incremental decrease of 25 °K from 500 °K to 300 °K,
within 0.4 s. Eq. (19) is obtained as temperature
decreases linearly with time as
y = mx + c
where m = (500-300)/0.4 = 500.
T = 500t + Tinitial (19) Fig. 3 Configuration for study.
Equating (21) and (22), we get
4π ∆ 4π ∆
+ ∆ − 2 ( − )+ + ∆ + 2 ( − )
∆ ∆ + =
4π
( + ∆ ) ∆
∆
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆
∆ ( ) ∆ ( ) ( ∆ ) ∆ ∆ ∆
∆
+ ∆
+ ∆ ∆ ∆
=
( ∆ ) ∆ ( ∆ ) ∆ ( ∆ ) ∆
∆ ∆ ∆

(23)
At node 1,
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆
∆ ( ) ∆ ( ) ( ∆ ) ∆ . ∆ ∆
= ∆
+ ∆
+ ∆ ∆ ∆
(24)
( ∆ ) ∆ ( ∆ ) ∆ ( ∆ ) ∆
∆ ∆ ∆

Thermal conductivity of stainless steel grade = 0.30385846 + 0.307856555 +

SS316L: k = 36 W/m·°K; radial element, thickness Δr 0.30284984 (25)
= 0.00125 m; inner radius Ra = 0.19 m; outer radius Rb At node 2 (time Δt = 0.1 s),
= 0.2 m; density of steel ρ = 7750 kg/m3; specific heat = 0.607742798 + 0.615687064 −
capacity cp = 486 J/kg·°K. 0.223429862 (26)
Solving for Eq. (24), the equations for temperature At node 3 (time Δt = 0.15 s),
distribution at each layer is obtained. = 0.911652513 + 0.923492032 −
From node 1 to node 7 conduction takes place and 0.835144544 (27)
the equations are as follows: At node 4 (time Δt = 0.2 s),
244 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects

= 1.215587117 + 1.23127195 − However, at node 8, which is the outer layer,

1.446859067 (28) convection heat transfer takes place (at time = 0.4 s)
At node 5 (time Δt = 0.25 s), with the outside ambient conditions. For convective
= 1.519546138 + 1.539027298 − heat transfer the temperature distribution is given by
2.058573434 (29) Convection, Q = h·A1∆
At node 6 (time Δt = 0.3 s), ∆ d
4π. ℎ ( − ) = 4π .
2 d
= 1.823529108 + 1.846458544 − ∆ ( )
2.670287651 (30) = ∆ + (32)
At node 7 (time Δt = 0.35 s), = 300.08 °K
= 2.12753558 + 2.15466142 −
3.282001722 (31) 4. Results of Radial and Hoop Stress and
The temperature of inner wall of spherical pressure Strain for Pressure and Temperature Effects
vessel is 500 °K and outer wall is 300 °K. 4.1 Pressure
Condition is that the inner layer of the vessel is kept
Considering internal pressure pi = 1.0 MPa and
constant at 500 °K. So from the above, as the
outside pressure, p0 = 0.1 MPa; inner radius a = 0.19
temperature decreases linearly from inner to outer
m or 190 mm, outer radius b = 0.2 m or 200 mm, the
layer, we obtain
stresses and strains are calculated:
= 500 − 25 = 475 °K
 Radial stress
Then, = 450 °K, = 425 °K, = 400 °K,
−1 −1
= 375 °K, = 350 °K, = 325 °K, = 300 °K = − = 1.0 MPa (tension)
Now by substituting the above values in Eqs. −1 −1
(27)-(33), we get  Radial strain
1
= 474.900 °K, = 449.801 °K =− ( +2 . )
= 424.70 °K, = 399.6078 °K 1
=− 10 + (2 × 0.305 × 8451000)
= 374.5128 °K, = 349.419 °K 190 × 10
= −3.2395 × 10
= 324.326 °K  Hoop stress
Table 1 shows the node nos. and the change in 1 1
1+2 1+2
temperature distribution across the seven layers for the = −
time interval assumed. −1 −1
= 8.451 MPa (tension)
Table 1 Temperature distribution.
 Hoop strain
Node No. Change in time (Δt) Calculated temperature in ° = − ( − )
Kelvin 1
= 8451000 − 0.305(8451000 − 10 )
0 0.00 500.00 190 × 10
= 3.2518 × 10
1 0.05 474.90
2 0.10 449.80 4.2 Combined Effect of Pressure and Temperature
3 0.15 424.70
By considering the initial temperature inside the
4 0.20 399.60
spherical vessel, as 500 °K , the radial and hoop
5 0.25 374.51
stresses are obtained for the combined pressure and
6 0.30 349.41
temperature effect, and is obtained by considering the
7 0.35 324.32
thermal expansion.
 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects 245

The temperature effect term, β is given by Whally Table 2 below gives a comparison of temperature
[2] as distribution, between the theoretical and finite element
( − ) analysis.
= =
(1 − ) Comparison of the theoretical and FEM results
9.7 × 10 × 190 × 10 (500 − 300)
=
1 − 0.305
= 530 MPa obtained for radial and hoop stresses and strains when
Steady state temperature relation is given by pressure and temperature are considered as shown in
Table 2.
1−
= + ∆ × Fig. 4 shows the temperature distribution with
−1 respect to nodes, BLUE indicates the theoretical
Since, the study is considered within elastic limit, temperature distribution which is linearly decreased
so substituting a = r, in the above relation, we obtain from inner to outer wall thickness of spherical
the steady state temperature as (T = 500 °K) pressure vessel and RED indicates FEM temperature
 Radial stress distribution which has non uniformity drop in the
− thickness of spherical pressure vessel.
= −1 − 1− +
−1 −1
Tables 3 and 4 shows the results of FE and
Theoretical of Radial stress, strain and Hoop stress in
+1 1− − 1− this study it is found that difference between them is
−1 less than 5% and it is within acceptable limit.
= 1.0 MPa (Compression)
 Radial strain
ε = −3.2518 × 10 + (9.7 × 10 × 500)
= 4.817482 × 10
 Hoop stress

= +1 − 1+
2 2
−1 −1

+ +1 1− − 1+
2 2
−1
= 265.7 MPa (Compression)
 Hoop strain
ε = 3.2518 × 10 +
(9.7 × 10 × 500) = 4.882518 × 10 Fig. 4 Temperature distribution with respective to nodes.

Table 2 Comparison of temperature distribution (theoretical vs. FEM).

Node No. Change in time Δt (s) Theoretical temperature (°K) FEM temperature (°K) Difference (%)
0 0.00 500.00 500.00 0.0
1 0.05 474.90 461.59 3.0
2 0.10 449.80 449.60 0.0
3 0.15 424.70 442.48 4.0
4 0.20 399.60 423.19 5.0
5 0.25 374.51 399.21 6.0
6 0.30 349.41 378.74 7.0
7 0.35 324.32 348.05 6.0
8 0.40 300.00 315.80 5.0
246 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects

Table 3 Comparison of radial stress and strain: theoretical vs. FEM.

Radial stress (MPa) Radial strain
Considering pressure Combined effect of both pressure & temp.Considering pressure Combined effect of both pressure & temp.
Theory FEM % diff Theory FEM % diff Theory FEM % diff Theory FEM % diff
1.000 1.014 1.0 1.000 1.011 1.0 3.23e-5 3.10e-5 5.0 4.81e-3 4.09e-3 2.0

Table 4 Comparison of hoop stress and strain: theoretical vs. FEM.

Hoop stress (MPa) Hoop strain
Considering pressure Combined effect of both pressure & temp.Considering pressure Combined effect of both pressure & temp.
Theory FEM % diff Theory FEM % diff Theory FEM % diff Theory FEM % diff
8.451 8.451 0.0 265.9 261.00 2.0 3.25e-5 3.13e-5 4.0 4.88e-3 4.63e-3 5.0

5. FEA Simulation Plots 5.2 Stress Plots Considering Combined

The finite element analysis was performed using
ABAQUS, the stress and strain distribution across the
layers of a spherical pressure vessel for structural and
thermal was studied. The stress and strain plots are
given below. Second order tetrahedral element is
considered, total no. of elements is 87603, number of
nodes 162825.
5.1 Stress Plots Considering Pressure
Fig. 5 shows radial stress and strain plots
considering pressure. According to FEM maximum
stress and strain developed in spherical pressure vessel
is 1.014 MPa and 3.10e-5.
Fig. 6 shows hoop stress and strain plots
considering pressure. According to FEM maximum
stress and stain developed in spherical pressure vessel
is 8.451 MPa and 3.13e-5.
Effect-Temperature and Pressure
Fig. 7 shows radial stress and strain plots
considering pressure and temperature (combined
effect). Results of maximum stress and stain
developed in spherical pressure vessel is 1.011 MPa
and 4.09e-3 from FEM.
Fig. 8 shows hoop stress and strain plots
considering pressure and temperature (combined
effect). Results of maximum stress and strain
developed in spherical pressure vessel is 261.000 MPa
and 4.63e-3 from FEM.
6. Conclusions
In this paper, an estimation of the radial and
circumferential stresses in spherical pressure vessels
under thermal and pressure loadings have been
determined and compared by finite element analysis

Fig. 5 Radial stress and stain plots considering pressure.

 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects 247

Fig. 6 Hoop stress and stain plots considering pressure.

Fig. 7 Radial stress and strain plots considering pressure and temperature.

Fig. 8 Hoop stress and strain plots considering pressure and temperature.
 248 Design and Analysis of Spherical Pressure Vessels with Pressure and Thermal Effects
using ABAQUS software. It is found that the stress
distribution under the combined effect of thermal and
pressure loading. Also, the stress and displacement of
the vessel wall is found theoretically for transient
temperature, and is compared with FEA and is in good
agreement.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to CSIR-Indian Institute of
Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India and
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Osmania
University College of Engineering for providing the
infrastructural facilities for support. Authors also
would like acknowledge their thanks to the colleagues
of CSIR-IICT for helping in drafting work.
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