scope:

This AD 2000-Merkblatt is be used for the design of domed ends of pressure vessels subject to local loads due to tubular vessel feet (see Fig. 1a) uniformly spaced on a pitch circle 0,7 < d_F/D_a < 0,8 as well as for the design of the vessel feet including the plates themselves.

With the above preconditions, the calculation is valid within the limit e/R_m > 0,0003 in order to exclude the possibility of stability failure. No account is taken of forces due to inclination of the vessel. Verification of stability for the end and all components of the foot structure has to be provided for all relevant load cases in accordance with 4.3 of AD 2000-Merkblatt S 3/0. A simplified limit load method is used as a dimensioning criterion for thin-walled spherical shells with local points where the load is introduced.