Comparison of Elastic and Plastic Reference Volume Approaches

Abstract

For finding out reliable limit load multipliers in pressure vessel components or structures using simplified limit load methods, proper estimation of reference volume is important. In this paper, two empirical methods namely elastic reference volume method (ERVM) and plastic reference volume method (PRVM) for reference volume correction are presented and compared. These reference volume correction concepts are used in combination with mα-tangent method and elastic modulus adjustment procedure to achieve converged limit load multiplier solution. These multipliers are compared with nonlinear finite element analysis results and are found to be lower bounded. Elastic reference volume method is the simplest method for reference volume correction when compared to plastic reference volume method.