Theoretical analysis of a segmented locking ring for shell-bottom connection in pressure vessels

Abstract

The internal forces and deflections of a segmented locking ring inserted in an annular slot in a cylindrical vessel, and supporting its bottom while the vessel is subjected to high internal pressure, are studied. The behaviour of the ring sectors is described in terms of a curved beam of rectangular cross section resting on elastic foundations. A closed form solution is obtained. The results presented show that the reaction force between the ring sectors and the cylindrical vessel exhibits peaks at the sector ends, and that the maximum value of the bending moment for the ring sectors is moticeably higher than that for a complete ring.