Practical 2

MEGI313-2
THICK-WALLED PRESSURE CYLINDERS
Experimental Guidelines
1.

Aim:

The aim with this experiment is to investigate the validity of the thick-walled pressure
cylinder theory by using strain gauges to measure the strains.

2.

Apparatus:

The two halves of the cylinder (A) are firmly connected in such a way that ten strain
gauges are placed in it (Figure 2). The circumferential or tangential strain and the radial
strain on different radii are measured by the strain gauges. More strain gauges on the
outer and inner surface of the cylinder measure the strains at these positions. Figure 3
indicates the positions of the different strain gauges as well as the type of strain that is
measured by each one of them.
Altogether there are 13 strain gauges inserted through the wall of the cylinder. From
them a full stress and strain analysis of the cylinder can be executed. The strain of the
different strain gauges is measured by using a Wheatstone bridge. The cables are
connected to a processing unit converting the measurements to a readable format.
A central steel pin (E) sealed at both ends by an o-ring, is used to place the cylinder
under pressure with the aid of oil. A steel block (G) is bolted against the plate with the
oil inlet holding the pressure meter and the pressure relief valve.

3.

Theory:

For the purposes of the experiment the internal pressure is set as indicated by the
demonstrator.
The theoretical values of the measured strains must be calculated and compared to the
experimentally measured values. Thereafter the stresses in the cylinder are calculated
from the experimentally measured strains and must be compared to the calculated
theoretical values. Conclusions about the validity of the theory of thick-walled pressure
cylinders can then be made from the obtained results.
Equations for the calculation of stresses and strains from the theory
It can be shown that the tangential stress t and the radial stress r is given on the
radius r by:

pi ri 2 ro2
1
ro2 ri 2 r 2

(1)

pi ri 2 ro2
1
ro2 ri 2 r 2

(2)

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where pi is the pressure in the cylinder, ri is the inner radius of the cylinder and ro is the
outer radius of the cylinder. From the general law of Hooke the tangential strain t, the
radial strain r and the longitudal or axial strain z can then be written as:

t r

E
t r
E

r t
E

(3)
(4)
(5)

where is the Poisson ratio and E is the modulus of elasticity of the material from
which the cylinder is manufactured. From equations (1), (2) and (3) then follows:

ro2 ro2
1 2 1 2
E ro2 ri 2 r r
pi ri 2

(6)

From equations (1), (2) and (4) we can conclude that:

ro2 ro2
1 2 1 2
E ro2 ri 2 r r
pi ri 2

(7)

From equations (1), (2) and (5) we can conclude that:

2 pi ri 2

E ro2 ri 2

(8)

Equations for the calculation of the stresses from the experimentally measured strains
It can be shown that the tangential stress t and the radial stress r obtained from the
experimentally measured strains can by calculated by

4.

E
t r
1 2

(9)

E
t r
1 2

(10)

Experimental procedure:

The strain as a function of different pressures pi to a maximum of 6.89 MPa can be

determined through the use of strain gauges and the Wheatstone bridge.

Verify that the pressure of the thick-walled pressure cylinder is 0 MPa.

Take the 13 readings by turning the adjustment knob and fill them out on the
attached data sheet. (NB! The readings are calibrated in this way.)
Adjust the knob to the pressure indicated by the demonstrator. (NB! Do not set
the pressure higher than indicated since the strains will then be inaccurate.)
Take the 13 readings by turning the adjustment knob and write them onto the
data sheet.
Reset the pressure on 0 Mpa.

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5.

Processing of results

For the calculation of the results you can accept the following details for the cylinder:

E

ri
ro

73.1 GPa
0.33
18.5 mm
75.0 mm

For strain:

Add / subtract the calibrated value to / from the obtained values at the given
pressure to obtain the real strain and fill them out on the strain table.

Calculate the theoretical strains at the given pressure by using equations (6) and
(7) and fill them out on the strain table.

Show a calculated example on a separate page.

Sketch a graph of the experimental and theoretical values t and r as a function

of the radius r.
For stress:

Calculate the experimental stresses at the given pressure by using equations (9)
and (10) and write them down in the stress table.
Calculate the theoretical stresses at the given pressure by using equations (1)
and (2) and write them down in the stress table.
Show a calculated example on a separate page.
Sketch a graph of the experimental and theoretical values t and r as a function
of the radius r.

6.

Conclusions

Discuss the results at the hand of the graphs for both stress and strain.
Discuss critically the comparison between the calculated and measured results
and make a deduction according to the aim of the experiment.

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MEGI313-2: Thick-walled pressure cylinders

DATA SHEET
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Student no: ___________________________________________________________

1. Measured values
Strain gauge #

Type of strain

Measured value
[0 Pa]
10-6

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10

11

12

13

Measured value
[Given pressure]
10-6

Practical 2

2.

Strains

Pressure
Strain gauge #

Type of strain

10

11

12

13

3.

Experimental

Theoretical

10-6

10-6

Stresses
Experimental

Theoretical

(mm)

10-6

10-6

10-6

10-6

28
36
45
56
63
75

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4.

Graphs of results

Sketch a graph for strain against radius for both t and r for both the experimental and
the theoretical cases.

Sketch a graph for stress against radius for both t and r for both the experimental and
the theoretical cases.

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Conclusion

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