Bursting problem of filament wound composite pressure vessels

Using the nonlinear finite element method, we have calculated the stresses and the bursting pressure of filament wound solid-rocket motor cases which are a kind of composite pressure vessel. Maximum stress failure criteria an d a stiffness-degradatian model were introduced to the failure analysis. Th e effects of material performance and geometrical nonlinearity on the relat ive loading capacity of the dome were studied. For the model I case with sk irts, relative loading capacity of the dome increased when geometrical nonl inearity was considered and composite material of higher strength was used. But for the model II case without skirts, the conclusion obtained was cont rary to that for the model I case. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.