Dr. Saad A.

Mutasher
Swinburne University of Technology (Sarawak Campus)
School of Engineering and Science



HES 5320 Solid Mechanics







Lab Sheet: Thick-walled Pressure Vessels







Name:...
Student ID:.....
Group Number:..
Date performed experiment: ....
Lab supervisor:


















Dr. Saad A. Mutasher
INTRODUCTION :

In this Experiment we measure strain at a number of locations in a thick-walled aluminium cylinder
as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. Our aim is to convert these strains to experimental
stresses and compare these with theoretical stresses.



Figure 1

A = Thick wall cylinder
B = Pressure gauge
C = Relief valve
D = ON/OFF switch
E = Digital strain meter
F = Strain reading selector switch
G = Hydraulic pump
H = Oil refill port (smaller screw)



Dr. Saad A. Mutasher



Figure 2












Dr. Saad A. Mutasher
THEORY

In the case of the Thick Cylinder longitudinal stress z may be ignored and only a biaxial stress
system need be considered; the Figure below shows an element of material at some radius r and
contained within the elemental cylinder. This cylinder is subjected to an internal pressure p
i
. This
cylinder is a biaxial stress system. Hence, principal stresses
u
and
r
are acting on this element. The
principal strains set up by these stresses are:












Now assuming the elementary Lame Equations;

(1)


A and B are constants which may be found using boundary conditions
Consider the cylinder with piston o
z
= 0.0













The boundary conditions for the above cylinder are



( )
( )
( )
u
u
u
u
o o
v o
c
o o
v o
c
o o
v o
c
+ =
+ =
+ =
r
z
z
r z
z
r
r
E E
E E
E E

Dr. Saad A. Mutasher
(2)
(3)

Where
o
r
= The radial stress (MPa)
o
u
= The circumference stress (MPa)
r
i
= The inner diameter (m)
r
o
= The outer diameter (m)
k = r
o
/ r
i


Internal pressure only



(4)



The cylinder is subjected to an internal pressure p
i
. This cylinder is a biaxial stress system. The
principal strains set up by the principal stresses o
r
and o
u
are:


Dr. Saad A. Mutasher
( )
u
uo o c =
r r
E
1

( )
r
E
uo o c
u u
=
1

( )
r z
E
o o
u
c
u
+ =
(5)

E = 6.895 x 10
10
N/m
2
(Young modulus for Aluminum)
v = 0.33 (Poisson Ratio)
Cylinder diameter: 150mm (r
o
= 75 mm) and for this experiment take (r
o
= 74.5 mm)
Cylinder length: 320mm
Wall thickness: 55mm (r
i
= 20 mm) and for this experiment take (r
i
= 18.625 mm)

Substitute eqns. 4 in eqns. 5

( )
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
2
2
2
2
1 1
1 r
r
r
r
k E
P
o o i
r
v c

( )
(

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
2
2
2
2
2
1 1
1 r
r
r
r
k E
P
o o i
r
v c

k = r
o
/ r
i
= 74.5/18.625 = 4

(

|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
=

2 2
13
5550
1 33 . 0
5550
1 10 524 . 9
r r
p
i r
c


(

|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
+ =

2 2
13
5550
1 33 . 0
5550
1 10 524 . 9
r r
p
i u
c


EXPERIMENT

SAFETY, PRECAUTION & REMINDER
1. You have to read carefully the SoES Laboratory Safety Manual before enter the lab
2. Make sure to sign the lab safety acknowledgement which available in the lab
3. Do not pressurized the apparatus for more than 60 bar.
4. Ensure all the parts are fully tighten in position before conducting the run.
5. Allow the apparatus to warm up for about 5 to 8 minutes before conducting the run.

PROCEDURE:
(1) Switch ON the main power supply (D) and allow the current passing through the gauges for
about five to eight minutes. This is to ensure all the strain gauges at steady state temperature
condition.
(2) Relief the relief valve (C) to ensure the pressure reading is zero.
(3) From the strain meter (E), read and record all the initial reading for 12 strain gauges with
zero pressure in the system.
(4) Tighten the relief valve.

Dr. Saad A. Mutasher
(5) Slowly apply some pressure into the cylinder by means of the hand pump. Pump the
pressure up to about 10 bar.
(6) Again, from the strain meter, read and record all the final reading for 12 strain gauges.
(7) (5) Repeat the experiment until 50 bar with every 10 bar increment. (REMINDER: DO NOT
PRESSURIZED THE CYLINDER MORE THAN 60 BAR)
(8) Compute the table provided and calculates the theoretical strain value. Compare this value
with the experimental result.
(9) Plot the graph of hoop and radial strain against radius of the cylinder. Discuss the finding
from the graph.


RESULTS

Experimental Results

Pressure (bar)
0 10 20 30 40 50
Strain
Gauge
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Note: The strain reading obtained must multiply with 10
-4

1 m = 10
-6
metres; 1 bar = 10
5
Pa.

Theoretical Results

Pressure (bar)
0 10 20 30 40 50
Strain
Gauge
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12



Dr. Saad A. Mutasher




Hoop Strain (m)
Radius (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50
29.5

38

47.5

62.5



Radial Strain (m)
Radius (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50
29.5

38

47.5

62.5


Hoop Stress (MPa)
Radius (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50
29.5

38

47.5

62.5


Radial Stress (MPa)
Radius (mm)
0 10 20 30 40 50
29.5

38

47.5

62.5


LABORATORY REPORT :

Your group write-up of this Lab. should address previously stated aim and must be submitted
within two (2) weeks from date of conducting experiment hand in to the tutor .

Your lab report should include:
- The cover sheet
- A (brief) Introduction (1 Mark)
- Plot separately the graph of radial stress vs. radius and hoop stress vs. radius for each
pressure (10 and 30 bar) for comparing: experimental stress with theoretical stress. Vertical
axis of graphs should be stress and horizontal axis radial location. (2.5 Marks)
- Plot separately the graph of radial strain vs. radius and hoop strain vs. radius for each
pressure (10 and 30 bar) for comparing: experimental stress with theoretical stress. Vertical
axis of graphs should be strain and horizontal axis radial location. (2.5 Marks)
- A Discussion and Conclusion. (2.5 Mark)
- Sample Calculations in an Appendix at end of Report. (1.5 Marks)
Total 10 Marks
Reports should be stapled but no plastic pockets, please try to be concise.