Stresses in torispherical drumheads: A critical evaluation

Abstract

An empirical equation is used to compare the results of the authors' extensive photoelastic study with stress concentration factors and other forms of head shape factor obtained from independent experimental and analytical work and from some codes of practice. Important differences are shown between the stress distributions in a number of shallow, thin models and a prototype and some analytical solutions. The variations of elastic stress concentration factor with wall thickness and with knuckle radius obtained from the photoelastic work are compared with other versions. The simplifications implicit in the recommendations of codes of practice are outlined and some recommendations are made for further work.