Finite element modeling of shop built spherical pressure vessels

Abstract

This work builds on an earlier work done which used global coordinates where a large number of elements were needed to form a convergence of results for shop built spherical pressure vessels. In this work area coordinates were used. Any action that leads to an inability on the part of a structure to function as intended is known as failure. This research, therefore, investigates stresses developed in a shop built carbon steel spherical storage vessels using finite element approach as the analytical tool. 3-D finite element modeling using 3-node shallow triangular element with five degrees of freedom at each node is employed. These five degrees of freedom are the essential nodal degrees of freedom without the sixth in-plane rotation. The resulting equations from finite element analysis are coded using FORTRAN 90 computer programme. Spherical storage vessels are subjected to various internal loading pressures while nodal displacements, strains and the corresponding maximum Von-mises stresses are determined. The calculated maximum Vonmises stresses are compared with the yield strength of the shell plate material. Using specified safety factor, safety internal pressures with the corresponding shell thicknesses for shop built spherical pressure vessels are determined. The finite element modeling carried out in this research can be used to predict in-service stresses, strains, and deformations of shop built spherical pressure vessels using Von-mises yield stress as the failure criteria. The results obtained were validated by analytical method and it showed there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) with values obtained through analytical method.