A comparison study of pressure vessel design using different standards.

Abstract

Due to a recent pressure vessel design error (see chapter 1.2.7) the design methods used for pressure vessel design is investigated. Several codes are currently available for design and analysis of pressure vessels. Two of the main contributors are the American Society of Mechanical Engineers providing the ASME VIII code, and the Technical Committee in Brussels providing the European Standard. Methods written in bold letters will be considered in this thesis. The ASME VIII code contains three divisions covering different pressure ranges: * Division 1: up to 200 bar (3000 psi) * Division 2: in general * Division 3: for pressure above 690 bar (10000 psi) In this thesis the ASME division 2 Part 5 will be considered. This part is also referred to in the DNVOS- F101 for offshore pressure containing components. Here different analysis methods are described, such as: * Elastic Stress Analysis * Limit Load Analysis * Elastic Plastic Analysis The Elastic Stress Analysis method with stress categorization has been introduced to the industry for many years and has been widely used in design of pressure vessels. However, in the latest issue (2007/2010) of ASME VIII div. 2, this method is not recommended for heavy wall constructions as it might generate non-conservative analysis results. [...]