THIN-WALLED PRESSURE VESSELS

ASSUMPTIONS FOR VESSELS TO BE CONSIDERED AS THIN WALLED:

1. The inner diameter is D and the wall thickness is t. The term “thin-walled” may be taken to mean that D/t > 20.
2. Assume that the stresses are uniform across the wall. The internal pressure (P) is uniform and everywhere positive. If the
vessel is externally pressurized, for example subjected to atmospheric pressure, P is defined by subtracting the external
pressure from the internal one, a difference called gage pressure. If the external pressure is higher, as in the case of a
submarine hull, the stress formulas should be applied because another failure mode: instability due to wall buckling, may
come into play.
3. In cylindrical vessels, the geometry and the loading are cylindrically symmetric. Consequently the stresses may be
assumed to be independent of the angular coordinate of the cylindrically coordinate system.
4. Features that may affect the symmetry assumptions are ignored. This includes supports and cylinder end cops. The
assumptions is that disturbances of the basic stress state are confined to local regions and may be ignored in basic design
decision such as picking up the thickness away from such regions.

A. TANGENTIAL STRESS FOR CYLINDRICAL PRESSURE VESSEL

𝑃𝐷
𝜎𝑇 =
2𝑡

Where:
𝜎𝑇 = tangential stress in thin-walled cylindrical vessel
𝜎𝑇 = circumferential stress = hoop stress = girth stress
P = internal pressure
D = vessel inside diameter
T = vessel thickness

B. LONGITUDINAL STRESS FOR CYLINDRICAL PRESSURE VESSEL

𝑃𝐷
𝜎𝐿 =
4𝑡

Where:
𝜎𝐿 = longitudinal stress in thin-walled cylindrical vessel
P = internal pressure
D = vessel inside diameter
T = vessel thickness

C. STRESS FOR SPHERICAL PRESSURE VESSEL

𝑃𝐷
𝜎=
4𝑡

Where:
𝜎 = longitudinal stress in thin-walled cylindrical vessel
P = internal pressure
D = vessel inside diameter
T = vessel thickness
PROBLEMS:
1. A cylindrical pressure vessel 400 mm in diameter with a wall thickness of 20 mm, is subjected to an internal pressure of
4.5 N/m2.
a. Calculate the tangential and longitudinal stresses in the steel
b. To what value may the internal pressure be increased if the stress in the steel is limited to 120 N/m2?
c. If the internal pressure were increased until the pressure burst, sketch the type of fracture that will occur.

2. A cylindrical water tank is 8 m in diameter and 12 m high. If the tank is to be completely filled, determine the minimum
thickness of the tank plating if the stress is limited to 40 MPa.

3. Process steam is generated at a central plant and distributed to various buildings in a city. The steam is at temperature
of 300 Celsius which has a pressure of 1246 psi. The steam is transferred in an 18 inch SA-202 chrome-magnesium silicon
steel pipe having an allowable stress of 15 000 psi. Determine the minimum thickness of the pipe where wall thickness is
given in sixteenths of an inch.

4. A spherical gas container, 50 ft in diameter, is to hold gas at a pressure of 40 psi. Calculate the thickness of the steel wall
required. The allowable tensile stress is 20 000 psi.

5. A thin wall pressure vessel is composed of two spherical regions and a cylindrical region is shown in diagram. The larger
spherical region has a radius of 3 ft and a wall thickness of 1.25”. The smaller spherical region has a radius of 2 ft and a wall
thickness of ½”. Determine the axial and hoop stress in the cylindrical region, and the wall stresses in the two spherical
regions.
 ASME BPVC SECTION 8: PRESSURE VESSELS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE STRESS VALUES
The maximum allowable stress values to be used in the calculation of the vessel’s wall thickness are a function of
temperature.

Maximum Allowable Stress Value for Common Steels

Material Spec. Nbr Grade Division 1 Division 2
-20oF to 650 oF -20oF to 650 oF
Grade 55 13 800 18 300
SA-516 Grade 60 15 000 20 000
Grade 65 16 300 21 700
Grade 70 17 500 23 300
Grade A 11 300 15 000
Carbon Steel Plates SA-285 Grade B 12 500 16 700
and Sheets Grade C 13 800 18 300
SA-36 12 700 16 900
Grade A 16 300 21 700
SA-203 Grade B 17 500 23 300
Grade D 16 300 21 700
Grade E 17 500 23 300
Grade 304 11 200 20 000
High Alloy Steel Plates SA-240 Grade 304L - 16 700
Grade 316 12 300 20 000
Grade 316L 10 200 16 700

Division 1 Division 2 Division 3

Scope Provides requirements Requirements are more Alternative rules for
applicable to the design, rigorous than in Division 1; construction for High Pressure
fabrication, inspection, testing Alternative rules, provides Vessels, provides requirements
and certification of pressure requirements to the design, applicable to the design,
vessels operating at either fabrication, inspection, testing fabrication, inspection, testing
internal or external pressures and certification of pressure and certification of pressure
exceeding 15 psig. vessels operating at either vessels operating at either
internal or external pressures internal or external pressures
exceeding 15 psig. These rules generally above 10 000 psi.
may apply to human occupancy
pressure vessels typically in the
diving industry.
Typical Safety 4 3 Not specified
Factor
Pressure Range 15 psig < P < 3000 psig 15 psig < P < 3000 psig Applications over 10 000 psi
Identical to Division 1, but have
the different requirements in:
a. Allowable Stress
b. Stress calculations
c. Design
d. Quality control
e. Fabrication and inspection
Exclusions a. Internals (except for Same as Division 1 Same as Division 1
attachment weld to vessel)
b. Fired process heaters
c. Pressure containers integral
with machinery
d. Piping systems
THIN CYLINDRICAL SHELL FOR INTERNAL PRESSURE
NOTE: The equation with red font is a correction from the handout that was given to you earlier during the discussion.
ITEM THICKNESS –t (in) PRESSURE – P (in) STRESS – S (in) NOTES
Cylindrical Shell 𝑃𝑅 𝑆𝐸𝑡 𝑃(𝑅 + 0.6𝑡) t≤0.25D P≤0.385SE
𝑆𝐸 ― 0.6𝑃 𝑅 + 0.6𝑡 𝑡
Spherical Shell 𝑃𝑅 2𝑆𝐸𝑡 t≤0.356R P≤0.665SE
2𝑆𝐸 ― 0.2𝑃 𝑅 + 0.2𝑡
Hemispherical 𝑃𝐿 2𝑆𝐸𝑡 t≤0.356L P≤0.665SE
Shell 2𝑆𝐸 ― 0.2𝑃 𝐿 + 0.2𝑡
Flat Flanged Head 𝑂.3𝑃 𝑡2𝑆 0.3𝐷2𝑃
𝐷
𝑆 0.3𝐷2 𝑡2
Torispherical 0.885𝑃𝐿 𝑆𝐸𝑡 𝑃(0.885𝐿 + 0.1𝑡) r/L = 0.06 L≤(D + 2t)
Head (a) 𝑆𝐸 ― 0.1𝑃 0.885𝐿 + 0.1𝑡 𝑡
Torispherical 𝑃𝐿𝑀 2𝑆𝐸𝑡 𝑃(𝐿𝑀 + 0.2𝑡) 𝐿
Head (b) 3+
2𝑆𝐸 ― 0.2𝑃 𝐿𝑀 + 0.2𝑡 2𝑡 𝑟
𝑀=
4
2:1 Semi-Elliptical 𝑃𝐷 2𝑆𝐸𝑡 𝑃(𝐷 + 0.2𝑡) 𝐷
=4
Head (a) 2𝑆𝐸 ― 0.2𝑃 𝐷 + 0.2𝑡 2𝑡 ℎ
Ellipsoidal Head
[ ( )]
𝑃𝐷𝐾 2𝑆𝐸𝑡 𝑃(𝐷𝐾 + 0.2𝑡) 1 𝐷 2 𝐷
𝐾 = 2 + 2≤ ≤6
(b) 2𝑆𝐸 ― 0.2𝑃 𝐷𝐾 + 0.2𝑡 2𝐸𝑡 6 2ℎ ℎ

Toriconical Head 𝑃𝐷 2𝑆𝐸𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 𝑃(𝐷 + 1.2𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) 𝛼 ≤ 30°

2(𝑆𝐸 ― 0.6𝑃)𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 𝐷 + 1.2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 2𝑡𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼

Where:
t = shell or head thickness
P = pressure
S = allowable stress
R = inside radius
E = joint efficiency, dimensionless
D = shell/head inside diameter
h = inside depth of an ellipsoidal head
r = inside knuckle radius of an ellipsoidal head
L = inside radius of hemispherical head or inside crown radius

PROBLEMS:
1. A vertical boiler is constructed of SA-516-60 according to Section VIII-1. It has an internal diameter of 96 in. and an
internal design pressure of 1000 psi at 450oF. The corrosion allowance is 0.125 in and joint efficiency is E = 0.85. Calculate
the required thickness of the shell.
2. Calculate the required shell thickness of an accumulator with P = 7 650 psi, R = 18 in, S = 20 000 psi and E = 1.0. Assume
corrosion allowance = 0.125 in.
3. A spherical carbon steel storage tank for ammonia has an inside diameter of 30 ft. All joints are butt welded with backing
strip. If the tank is to be used at a working pressure of 50 psig and a temperature of 80oF, estimate the necessary thickness.
Assume no corrosion allowance is necessary, efficiency is 80% and allowable tensile strength is 13 700 psi.
a. ½ in b. ¼ in c. 7/16 in d. 5/16 in
4. A water tank 30 ft in diameter has a thickest steel plate available of 3/8 in thick. Assume the allowable stress of steel is
15 000 psi and a joint efficiency of 80%. Provide a corrosion allowance of 1/16 in. The maximum height of the water tank is
a. 84.3 ft b. 43.6 ft c. 68.05 ft d. 48.03 ft
 HEAD DESIGNS

COMMON HEAD TYPES FOR PRESSURE VESSEL

1. Spherical or Hemispherical Head
2. Elliptical or Ellipsoidal Heads
3. Torispherical Head
4. Conical or Toriconical Heads

PROBLEMS:
1. Calculate the minimum required thickness for a blank, unstayed, full-hemispherical head. The radius to which the head is
dished is 7.5 in. The MAWP is 900 psi and the head material is SA 285-C. The average temperature of the header is 570oF.
2. A pressure vessel is built of SA-516-70 material and has an inside diameter of 96 in. The internal design pressure is 100
psi at 450 oF. Corrosion allowance is 0.125 in and joint efficiency is E = 0.85. Calculate the required spherical head thickness
of the pressure vessel if S is 20 000 psi.
3. A spherical pressure vessel with an internal diameter of 120 in has a head thickness of 1 in. Determine the design
pressure if the allowable stress is 16 300 psi. Assume joint efficiency E = 0.85. No corrosion allowance is stated to design
the pressure.
4. A drum is to operate at 500 oF and 350 psi and to hold 5000 gallons of water. The inside radius of the Dished
Torispherical Heads is 78 in. The material is SA 285 Grade A. Assume S = 11 200 psi and E = 0.85. Determine the thickness of
the head.
5. Given: design pressure = 100 psi; material is SA 516-70 plate which operates at 650 oF, inside diameter of 96 in,
determine the required thickness of seamless ASME flanged and dished head.
6. If the knuckle radius of F&D head in problem 5 is 6 inches, determine the required thickness of seamless ASME flanged
and dished head.
7. Given: design pressure = 100 psi; material is SA 516-70 plate which operates at 650 oF, efficiency of spot-examined joint
is 0.85, inside diameter is 96 inches and half apex angle is 30o. Determine the thickness of a cone.