Influence of residual stresses on failure pressure of cylindrical pressure vessels

The utilization of pressure vessels in aerospace applications is manifold. In this work, finite element analysis (FEA) has been carried out using ANSYS software package with 2D axisymmetric model to access the failure pressure of cylindrical pressure vessel made of ASTM A36 carbon steel having weld-induced residual stresses. To find out the effect of residual stresses on failure pressure, first an elasto-plastic analysis is performed to find out the failure pressure of pressure vessel not having residual stresses. Then a thermo-mechanical finite element analysis is performed to assess the residual stresses developed in the pressure vessel during welding. Finally one more elasto-plastic analysis is performed to assess the effect of residual stresses on failure pressure of the pressure vessel having residual stresses. This analysis indicates reduction in the failure pressure due to unfavorable residual stresses.