The Failure of Pressurized Thin-Walled Cylinders

Citation

Gloria, Ruben M. (1957) The Failure of Pressurized Thin-Walled Cylinders. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/VQNF-4J52. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-06292004-150847

Abstract

NOTE: Text or symbols not renderable in plain ASCII are indicated by [...]. Abstract is included in .pdf document. The object of this research was to find significant parameters in the failure of thinwalled internally pressurized cylinders. The following tests were made: (a) original crack length variation; (b) crack angle variation; (c) variation of velocity of penetration and (d) shape of a penetrating object; (e) cycling of internal pressure; and (f) change of loading media. The corresponding results were as follows: 2 (a) the crack length parameter [...] was found to bear importantly on the failing pressure of prepunctured cylinders; (b) an increase in failing pressure was achieved by changing the crack angle, originally parallel to the cylinder axis, to a perpendicular position; (c) explosive pressure level increased with decreased projectile velocity; (d) nondimensional explosive level increased with increased projectile sharpness, cylinder thickness and diameter; (e) pressure cycling tests revealed relatively fast crack growth during the first part of the life, followed by stabilization, and suceeded by another fast growth and failure; (f) a change from air to water as loading media made no effect on the static failing pressure of prepunctured cylinders. The following tests are recommended: (a) determination of a parameter more generalized than [...] involving cylinder length; (b) more crack angle tests to obtain a family of [...] curves for various crack lengths from which effective crack lengths may be obtained; (c) explosive level runs using higher velocity and true conical projectiles; (d) pressure cycling tests to find the effect of cycling stress level on crack propagation; and (e) crack propagation by vibration, using different loading media.

Thesis Files