PHOTOELASTIC DETERMINATION OF DISCONTINUITY STRESSES AT THE ENDS OF A CYLINDRICAL VESSEL

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to determine the discontinuity stresses, both in longitudinal and circumferential directions at the junction of head—to—shell of a flat headed thin—walled pressure vessel. Three dimensional photoelasticity is used and, to compare the results theoretical analysis has also been carriedout. The pressure vessel models have been prepared with araldite and slices are taken in longitudinal and circumferential directions. By interpreting the fringe orders, the discontinuity stresses are determined on the boundaries of the slices taken. On the theoretical side the concept of beams on elastic foundation has been used for the determination of discontinuity stresses. Finally, for comparing the variation of discontinuity stresses along the internal and external boundaries, theoretical and experimental curves are presented.