Failure probability analysis of pressure vessels that contain defects under the coupling of inertial force and internal pressure

The safety and reliability of large-scale structures such as pressure vessels are related to a number of uncertain factors, including the load and the size of their initial cracks. This study carries out probabilistic fracture mechanics analyses of pressure vessels that contain defects under the coupling of inertial force and internal pressure. Based on the weight function, this paper provides an integral expression for the stress intensity factor (SIF) of the crack front and then estimates the SIF that meets the engineering accuracy requirements. Considering the fracture toughness criterion, KIC, based on linear elasticity as the failure criterion, the Monte-Carlo method is used to calculate the failure probability of the pressure vessel cylinder, with the fracture toughness of materials, crack depth, and load as random variables. This method can provide a point of reference for fracture calculations and reliability analyses of pressure vessels.