Static and Dynamic Burst Analysis of Cylindrical Shells

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the finite element method can be employed to accurately predict the burst pressure of a specific cylindrical shell subjected to internal pressure. Both static and dynamic analyses were carried out. The computer code ANSYS is employed to perform a static, nonlinear analysis (both geometry of deformation and material behavior) using three-dimensional 20 node structural solid elements. The “Newton-Raphson Method” (N-R method) and the “Arc-Length Method”, are both employed to solve the nonlinear equations. The finite element code LS-DYNA is used to generate a three-dimensional finite element model by use of eight-node brick elements for the dynamic analysis. Both explicit and implicit methods are used to simulate the dynamic response of cylinders. A comparison with various empirical equations shows that both static and dynamic finite element method simulations can be employed with sufficient accuracy to predict the burst pressure of a specific cylindrical shell.Copyright © 2006 by ASME