Thickness of Plate Formula:
Definition: This calculator determines the required thickness of a pressure vessel plate based on fluid pressure, vessel diameter, joint efficiency, and material stress.
Purpose: It helps engineers design safe and efficient pressure vessels that can withstand internal pressures without failure.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the minimum plate thickness needed to resist the bursting pressure in a circumferential joint.
Details: Proper thickness calculation ensures vessel integrity, prevents catastrophic failures, and meets safety regulations while optimizing material usage.
Tips: Enter all required parameters. The ±5% indicates typical manufacturing tolerances. Joint efficiency is typically 0.65-0.85 for riveted joints.
Q1: Why is joint efficiency important?
A: It accounts for strength reduction due to holes and imperfections in the joint, typically ranging from 0.65 to 0.85 for riveted joints.
Q2: What affects hoop stress values?
A: Material properties, temperature, and safety factors all influence the allowable hoop stress in design calculations.
Q3: How does diameter affect thickness?
A: Larger diameters require thicker plates to withstand the same pressure, as the force increases with diameter.
Q4: What safety factors should be considered?
A: Always include appropriate safety factors beyond calculated values to account for material defects, corrosion, and unexpected loads.
Q5: Can this be used for other joint types?
A: The formula is specific to circumferential riveted joints. Other joint types may require different calculations.