Stress Analysis of Instrumented Pressure Vessel (IPV) Subjected to External Pressure.
The IPV shown below was subjected to an external pressure of 1000 psi (6.9 mPa),and FEA analyzed using SolidWorks Simulation. 1000 psi is equal to a seawater depth of 2250ft (686m). Pressure inside the IPV is at atmospheric, so atmospheric pressure is neglected in the seawater depth calculation. The FEA Analysis shows that the average stress in the pressure tube is about 10700 psi (73.8 mpa), and the average stress at the center of the end cap is about 11400 psi (78.6 mpa). The highest stress of 24957 psi (172 mpa) is the result of a singularity at the corner between the IPV inner diameter (ID) and the o-ring surgace ID.
Pressure Vessel FEA using SolidWorks.
External Pressure = 1000 PSI (0.15 Pa)

Stress Calculation using MapleSoft
with Roark Equations. External Pressure = 1000 psi (0.15 Pa)
Using MapleSoft with Roark equations to calculate IPV stress is quicker than creating a SolidWorks model of the IPV and subjecting it to an FEA analysis. This method is useful when all that is needed is a quick estimate of IPV stress levels without the rigor of an FEA analysis. The stress values shown below at 1000 psi agree with the FEA stress values shown above.

Connect With Us