XXI. On the resistance of tubes to collapse

Abstract

The following experiments were undertaken at the joint request of the Royal Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Their object is to determine the laws which govern the strength of cylindrical vessels exposed to a uniform eternal force, and their immediate practical application in proportioning more accutely the flues of boilers for raising steam, which have hitherto been constructed on erely empirical data. It is well known that the immense extension of the application of steam power, and e consequent inducement to economise as far as possible the fuel necessary for its oduction, together with the growing tendency to employ the expansive principle, has used a general increase of the working pressure from 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., and even in me cases to 150 lbs. on the square inch. Unfortunately, however, our knowledge of e principles of construction has not kept pace with our desire to economise, and dice the change has been accompanied by an increase of dangerous and fatal accints from boiler explosions. Investigation has frequently shown these lamentable tastrophes to have arisen from ignorance of the immense elastic power of steam, and om a want of knowledge of the forms of construction best calculated to retain an agent such potent force; and as explosions become more frequent in proportion as the essure is increased, it is the more necessary to inquire into the causes of such disasters, id to apply such remedies as may effectually prevent them.