Analytical and Experimental Stress Analysis of a Cylinder-to-Cylinder Structure

This paper presents a comparison of stress results obtained using the FESAP three-dimensional finite element computer program with results obtained from experimental testing. The comparison was obtained for the case of internal pressure applied to a cylinder-to-cylinder structure with a variable shell thickness at the juncture and a D/d of 1.6. The experimental testing conducted at the Babcock & Wilcox Research Center, Alliance, Ohio, consisted of strain gage testing followed by a “stress freezing” photoelastic analysis. The numerical analysis was performed at the Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Equipment Division using the FESAP three-dimensional isoparametric element with incompatible modes. The model mesh was generated with the program FEMEG which is briefly discussed. The paper includes a detailed description of both the experimental and analytical studies. It is concluded that FESAP, with the eight-node incompatible mode element can accurately and economically predict the structural response of complex components.