Burst Analysis of Cylindrical Shells

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the burst pressure of a cylindrical shell subjected to internal pressure can be accurately predicted by using finite element method. The computer software ANSYS (Swanson Analysis System Inc., 2003, “Engineering Analysis Systems User's Manual”) is employed to perform a static, nonlinear analysis (both geometry of deformation and material behavior) using three-dimensional 20 node structural solid elements. The “Newton–Raphson method” and the “arclength method” are both employed to solve the nonlinear equations. A comparison with various empirical equations shows that the static finite element method simulation using the arclength method can be employed with sufficient accuracy to predict the burst pressure of a cylindrical shell. It is also shown that the Barlow equation is a good predictor of burst pressure of cylindrical shells.