scope:

This report summarizes a study on theoretical and experimental investigations on the strength of thickwalled cylindrical pressure vessels. Most of the available theories, numbering 21, are reviewed and classified into four groups (see Table 1). Predictions of maximum pressures by these theories were determined, based upon tensile properties, for all the experimental results that could be found in the literature. Maximum pressure values on about 150 thick-walled cylindrical specimens were compared with values predicted by 21 theories or formulas. Pour theories were found to be equally accurate for predieting the maximum pressures. These theories gave +/- 7% average deviations considering all the experimental results. Of the four theories, the one proposed by the writers in eq 19 of Reference 3 is recommended. The basis for this recommendation is that it is simpler to use than the other acceptable theories. If less accuracy is acceptable, a simpler approximate equation, eq 20 of Reference 3, can be used. This latter equation is based on the €oregoing recommended theory by the writers.