scope:

This paper gives a critical review of theories used for the design of thick-walled cylindrical pressure vessels. An evaluation of experimental studies on such vessels shows that much of the data is incomplete and cannot be used to determine the accuracy of some of the theories proposed. In some cases, the comparison of the remaining test data with the available theories shows poor agreement between theoretical and actual values. In other cases, the theories arc unsatisfactory because they are either empirical in nature, they have an unsound theoretical basis or the assumptions upon which they are based are incorrect. For these reasons, a new theory was developed. This theory is one which considers the plastic range of the material. It determines the maximum or instability internal pressure that can be applied to a thick-walled cylindrical vessel closed at the ends. Based ripon this pressure, a design relation is obtained for the determination of the wall thickness.