The Effect of Corner Radius on Plate-Cylinder Intersections

Curves are presented for the stress concentration factors due to inside corner radii between cylinders and flat-head closures. The analysis is based on a finite element study of pressure loaded cylinder-plate intersections in which the significant parameters were systematically changed in order to cover the complete field of useful design boundaries. The results are based on a solution using some 240 elements (nearly 1000 degrees of freedom) and sufficient number of points have been calculated to produce smooth curves. The application of the results permits a more realistic determination of fatigue dependent stresses in pressure vessels and indicates the sufficient hub lengths for welded constructions. The paper indicates the degree of conservatism of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and shows that cost savings can be achieved by reference to the theoretical data contained herein.