ARTICLE RD-3
SHELLS OF REVOLUTION
UNDER EXTERNAL PRESSURE
RD-300 GENERAL
(a) As indicated in RD-100, this Section addresses
two methods by which shells of revolution under exter-
nal pressure may be designed.
(b) Vessels with heat transfer jackets are outside the
scope of this Section.
(c) Regardless of the design method used, the follow-
ing factors shall be included in establishing the design:
(1) the low modulus of elasticity of the material;
(2) the anisotropic character of the material;
(3) the lack of uniformity in centrifugal castings;
(4) the orientation of filaments in filament-wound
vessels.
(d) While there are no mandatory formulas for design
of Class I vessels, there are mandatory rules for testing
the prototype vessel thus constructed, as set forth in
RD-311 or RD-312.
(e) Class II vessels must comply with Articles RD-
11, RD-12, and RT-6 and the requirements set forth
in RD-313 and RD-314.
RD-310 QUALIFICATION OF VESSELS
FOR EXTERNAL PRESSURE
SERVICE
(a) Class I vessels may be designed for either:
(1) external pressure only; or
(2) a combination of both internal and external
pressure service.
(b) Class II vessels may only be designed for external
pressure when the Design Specification includes both
internal and external pressure design conditions. Class
II vessels designed for external pressure only are not
permitted.
Vessels for external pressure service shall be qualified
as required by RD-311, RD-312, or RD-313.
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RD-311 Class I Vessels for Both External and
Internal Pressure Service
Class I vessels designed for both external and internal
pressure shall have their designs qualified as required
below.
(a) Prototype vessels shall be subjected to 100,000
cycles of pressure ranging from the maximum external
design pressure, psi, to the maximum internal design
pressure, psi, without failure. These external and internal
pressure tests may be carried out in two steps (see
RT-223).
(b) Prototype vessels shall then withstand an external
pressure, psi, of twice the maximum external design
pressure, or 30 in. mercury (101.6 kPa), whichever is
smaller, without buckling.
(c) Prototype vessels shall then withstand a hydro-
static qualification pressure of at least six times the
maximum internal design pressure.
RD-312 Class I Vessels for External Pressure
Service Only
Class I vessels designed for external pressure only
shall be designed for a minimum of 15 psi (103 kPa)
internal pressure in addition to the design requirement
for external pressure. The design shall be qualified by:
(a) subjecting a prototype vessel to an external
pressure of twice the maximum external design pressure,
or 29 in. of mercury (98.2 kPa), whichever is greater,
without buckling; and
(b) cyclic pressure and hydrostatic qualification
pressure tests in accordance with RD-160 based on 15
psi (103 kPa) internal design pressure.
 RD-313 1998 SECTION X RD-314

RD-313 Class II Vessels for Both External

and Internal Pressure Service
Class II vessels designed for both external and internal
pressure shall have Design Calculations made for both
conditions in accordance with Articles RD-11 and RD-
12. The most severe condition shall govern and be the
basis for design. The vessel shall then be acceptance
tested for both internal and external pressure in accord-
ance with Article RT-6 for both design conditions.

RD-314 Class II Vessels for External Pressure

Only
Class II vessels designed for external pressure only
are not permitted.

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