Question

A simply supported polymer thin-walled vessel is subjected to the internal pressure P, as shown in Figure 3. The tank is 6 m long, 2 m in outer diameter. The wall thickness of the tank is 20 mm. The tank and its contents have a weight distribution of q = 400 kN/m.

If the pressure P = 200 kPa and the allowable stress of the polymer is allow = 30 MPa, determine the factor of safety against yielding according to the Tresca failure criterion

*Hint: The factor of safety should be determined according to the stresses at the weakest part of the vessel

Answer 1