EFFECTS OF LOCAL DEPARTURES FROM NOMINAL DIMENSIONS ON STRESSES IN THIN TORISPHERICAL END CLOSURES

A detailed survey (1-4)dagger of the variations in crown curvature, kn uckle curvature and thickness of a number of thin torispherical pressu re vessel ends has shown that actual dimensions may differ significant ly from nominal dimensions. Numerical stress analysis using the finite element method has been carried out to assess the effects of these sh ape imperfections on the stresses in some of the thin torispherical pr essure vessel ends considered in reference (4). The results have been compared with those for the corresponding perfect ends. In several cas es significant increases in stress levels are predicted due to thickne ss and especially curvature variations.