Numerical and Analytical Investigation of the Parameters Affecting the Design of Ultra High Pressure Thick Wall Cylinders

Abstract

In this study, geometric parameters affecting the design of thick-walled cylinders operating under ultra-high pressure were investigated. In this context, the effects of design parameters on the maximum stresses occurring on the inner surface of the cylinder and the maximum interface pressure between the layers under 350 MPa pressure were determined analytically and numerically. The design parameters are the inner cylinder diameter, the inner and outer wall thicknesses, and the one-sided shrinking allowance respectively. A full factorial experimental design was created to investigate the interaction of the parameters and the significance of the results. Regression and variance analysis were applied to the results. As a result, it was found that the most important parameter affecting the maximum stress in the cylinder was the shrinking allowance with 32.7%. It was observed that the inner wall thickness had the least effect on the stress level with a rate of 6.2%. In addition, Von-Mises equivalent stresses and interface pressure between the cylinders under internal pressure were obtained by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to show the usability of (FEA) in the design of thick-walled cylinders. The reliability of the FEAs was determined by comparing the results of the FEA with the analytical results. FEAs were performed using two different finite element solvers (Ansys and Solidworks) and the calculation difference between them was determined. In the stress value, the difference between Solidworks and analytical solution was 2.05%, while the difference between Ansys and analytical solution was 0.5%. From this, it has been determined that both FEA solvers can make predictions with very high accuracy.