BS EN 13445-3:2009

EN 13445-3:2009 (E)
Issue 1 (2009-07)

15
15.1

Pressure vessels of rectangular section

Purpose

This clause specifies requirements for the design of unreinforced and reinforced pressure vessels of rectangular
cross-section. For fatigue, designs shall be checked against either clause 17 or clause 18.

15.2

Specific definitions

The following terms and definitions apply in addition to those in clause 3.

15.2.1
membrane stress
equivalent uniform stress through the wall of the vessel, see also C.4.4.2
15.2.2
bending stress
equivalent linear distributed stress through the wall of the vessel, see also C.4.4.3

15.3

Specific symbols and abbreviations

The following symbols and abbreviations apply in addition to those in clause 4:

a

is the inside corner radius;

A1

is the cross-sectional area of a reinforcing member which is attached to the short side of a vessel;

A2

is the cross-sectional area of a reinforcing member which is attached to the long side of the vessel;

is the unsupported width of a flat plate between reinforcing elements, see Figure 15.6-1;

be

is the effective width of a plate in combination with a reinforcing member, see Figure 15.6-1;

bR

is the pitch between centrelines of reinforcing members on a vessel;

is the distance from the neutral axis of a section to the outer fibre of a section and is positive when
inwards;

is a shape factor determined from the long and short sides of an unsupported plate between stiffeners,
see Table 15.6-2;

is either the diameter of an opening or the inside diameter of a welded connection if attached by a full
penetration weld;

is the length of an unsupported span;

is the inside length of the long side;

h1

is the distance between the neutral axes of reinforcing members on the long side;

is the inside length of the short side;

H1

is the distance between the neutral axes of reinforcing members on the short side;

I1, I2

is the second moment of area per unit width of a strip of thickness e;

I11

is the second moment of area of the combined reinforcing member and plate of on the short side of the
vessel;

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I21

is the second moment of area of the combined reinforcing member and plate on the long side of the
vessel;

is a factor, see equation (15.5.2-4);

K3

is a factor for unreinforced vessel to Figure 15.5-1;

l1, lx, L, Ly

are the dimensions of the vessel;

MA

is the bending moment at the middle of the long side, it is positive when the outside of the vessel is put
into compression. It is expressed as bending moment per unit length (in N.mm/mm);

is the hole pitch along the plate length, see Figure 15.5-2;

ps

is the diagonal hole pitch, see Figure 15.5-2;

is a factor, see equation (15.5.2-5);

D1

is a factor, see equation (15.5.1.2-13);

D3

is a factor, see equation (15.5.1.2-14);

is the angle between the line of the holes and the long axis, see Figure 15.5-2.

is an angle indicating position at the corner of a vessel, see Figure 15.5-2;

is the ligament efficiency;

Vb

is the bending stress;

Vm

is the membrane stress;

15.4

is a factor, see equation (15.5.1.2-15).

General

The equations given in this subclause shall be used for calculation of the membrane and bending stresses in
unreinforced and reinforced rectangular pressure vessels. The maximum stress at a given location shall be taken
as the sum of the membrane stress and the bending stress at that location.
For vessels operating with extensive fatigue loads (for example sterilizers) the longitudinal corners of the vessel
shall be provided with an inside radius not less than three times the wall thickness.
For pressure vessels provided with doors a special analysis shall be performed to detect any deformation in the
door and the edge of the vessel.
NOTE

15.5

Special care should be taken in the choice of gasket for the door.

Unreinforced vessels

15.5.1
15.5.1.1

Unreinforced vessels without a stay

General

This method applies to vessels of the type shown in Figure 15.5-1.

It is assumed that the thicknesses of the short and long sides are equal. When they are not, the method in 15.6
shall be used.

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15.5.1.2

Unperforated plates

Where the thickness of the smaller side is not the same as the thickness of the longer side, the calculation method
for reinforced vessels in 15.6 shall be used.
For unreinforced vessels conforming to Figure 15.5-1, the membrane stresses are determined from the following
equations:
at C,

V m c
at D,

P a  L 
e

(15.5.1.2-1)

V m D V m C

at B,

V m B

P a  l 1 
e

(V m )A

(V m )B

(15.5.1.2-2)

at A,

at a corner, e.g. between B and C, it is given by:

(V m )B C

P
a 
e

 l12

(15.5.1.2-3)

The second moment of area is given by:

I1

I2

e 3 / 12

(15.5.1.2-4)

Figure 15.5-1 Unreinforced vessels

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The bending stresses shall be determined from the following equations:

at C,
(V b ) C

e
2M A  P(2a L  2a l1  L2 )

4 I1

(15.5.1.2-5)

e
2M A 
4 I1

(15.5.1.2-6)

at D,
(V b )D

P 2a L  2a l1  L2  l12

at A,
(V b ) A

at B,

V b B

M Ae
2I 1

(15.5.1.2-7)

>

e
2M A  P L2
4 I1

at the corner,

V b BC

>

(15.5.1.2-8)

e
2M A  P 2a( L cos T  l1(1  sinT ))  L2
4I1

For these equations the following shall apply:

a)

the maximum value of V b BC is given where T

`@

(15.5.1.2-9)

arctan l1 / L 

(15.5.1.2-10)

and
b)

the bending moment MA per unit length, is given by:

MA

P ( K 3 )

where

l 1 6 2 3  3 2  6 2  3  3 3  6  2  1.5 3  6 3
32 3   2
2

K3

D1 = H1 / h1

D3
I

(15.5.1.2-11)

L / l1
a / l1

(15.5.1.2-12)
(15.5.1.2-13)
(15.5.1.2-14)
(15.5.1.2-15)

At a location, the maximum stress shall be obtained as stated in 15.4 by summing the membrane and bending
stresses.

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15.5.1.3

Perforated plates

The ligament efficiency of a perforated plate is given by :

pd
1
min
;
p
cos
E

p s  d

p
s

(15.5.1.3-1)

where E is the angle defined in Figure 15.5-2.

When P is less than the joint coefficient z, the membrane and bending stresses calculated on the gross area of the
section shall be divided by P to obtain the stresses based on the net area of the section.

Figure 15.5-2 Unreinforced vessels with perforated sides

If the ligament efficiency P is at least 0.2, the membrane stresses shall be determined from the following equations:

V m  y
V m x

322

V m B
P

(15.5.1.3-2)

(15.5.1.3-3)

V m C

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EN 13445-3:2009 (E)
Issue 1 (2009-07)

> 2M
4I P

The bending stresses shall be determined from the following equations:

V b  y

(V b ) x

>

 PL y 2

e
2M A  P 2a L  2a l1  L2  (l1  l x )2
4 I1P

`@

(15.5.1.3-4)

(15.5.1.3-5)

The allowable values for membrane and bending stresses are given in 15.5.3.
The sum of stresses shall fulfil that requirement at all points with no hole circle closer to the other vessel wall than
the distance a or 0,5d, whichever is the largest.
For holes closer to the wall and for P  0,2, a stress analyses shall be performed.
15.5.2

Unreinforced vessels with a central partition plate

Figure 15.5-3 Unreinforced vessel with a central partition plate

For unreinforced vessels with a central partition plate, as shown in Figure 15.5-3 the membrane stresses shall be
determined from the following equations.
at C,

V m c
at D,

2  k 5  D 2
P h
4 
4e1
1  2k

(15.5.2-1)

V m D V m c

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at B,

V m  b

pH
2e2

(15.5.2-2)

at A,
In partition plate

V m P

P h 2  k 5 D 2

2e3 1  2k

I2
D
I1

(15.5.2-3)

(15.5.2-4)

H
h

(15.5.2-5)

The bending stresses shall be determined from the following equations.

at C,

V b C

P h 2e1 1  2D 2 k

24 I1 1  2k

(15.5.2-6)

1  2D 2 k
P e1 2
3H  2h 2

48 I1
1  2k

(15.5.2-7)

1  2D 2 k

1  2k

(15.5.2-8)

at D,

V b D
at B,

V b B

P h 2 e2
24 I 2

at A,

V b A

Ph 2 e2 1  k 3  D 2

24 I 2 1  2k

(15.5.2-9)

The allowable design stresses for membrane and bending shall be as given in 15.5.3.
15.5.3

Allowable stresses for unreinforced vessel

The membrane stresses shall be limited as follows:

Vm d f z

(15.5.3-1)

The sum of membrane stresses and bending stresses shall conform to:

V m  V b d 1,5 f z

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(15.5.3-2)

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where
z = 1 for sides without longitudinal or circumferential welds.

15.6

Reinforced vessels

15.6.1

General

Reinforced vessels, as shown in Figure 15.6-1, have a continuous frame which may either follow the contour of the
vessel or form a closed rectangle. The reinforcing members shall be fitted to the outside of the vessel in a plane
perpendicular to the long axis of the vessel.
This calculation method is applicable if the two opposite sides of the vessel have the same second moment of area.
Where they do not, a special analysis shall be performed.
b

be

be

be

be

be

be

bR

The effective length be is limited by 10e

Figure 15.6-1 Reinforcing member and associated effective plate width
15.6.2

Shear strength of reinforced section

15.6.2.1

General

The reinforcing members and the attached plate elements of the vessel shall be considered to act as a composite
unit when calculating the effective second moment of area of the reinforcing members. In order to ensure this
structural behaviour, the shear stress in the reinforcement web and in the weld between reinforcing elements and
vessel shall be limited as shown below.
15.6.2.2

Continuously welded reinforcements

For continuously welded reinforcements, the shear stress in the weld joining web to vessel shall be calculated by
the following equation.

Q A' j
I bcw

(15.6.2.2-1)

where
Q

is the shear load at the section near the corner

is the area of that part of the composite section above or below the calculation point

is the distance from the neutral axis of the centroid of A

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is the second moment of area of the composite cross section

bcw

is the net width of the section measured (thickness of the web or in partial penetration welds, sum of weld
throat thicknesses a, see definition 3.23, if less).

REINFORCEMENT SECTIONS

Figure 15.6-2

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Table 15.6-1
WEBS

(Flat elements perpendicular to the bending axis)

Sketch

Type of reinforced rection

i Rolled or cold formed

i Welded

(a.1, 2, 3)
(b.1, 2, 3)

i Rolled or cold formed

(c.1, 2)

i Welded

Width evaluation
dw = hr - 1,5 tf
dw = hr - tf

dw = hr -1,5 tf
dw = hr

FLANGES

(Flat elements parallel to the bending axis)

Sketch

Type of section

i Rolled or cold formed

(a.1)

Width evaluation
bf = b - 3 tf

(a.2, 3)

i Welded

VESSEL WALL

(plate space between two reinforcing elements)

Sketch

Type of section

transversal section of
reinforced vessel

dw/tw <= 50 H

dw/tw <= 10 H
Maximum ratio

bf/tf <= 30 H

bf
Width evaluation
b1= 0,5 b

(d )

Maximum ratio

b2= 0,5 br

Maximum ratio
b/e <= 30 H

b=max(b1,b2)

E
235

Y
210000

H =
where

Y = Rp0,2/T for ferritic steels and Rp1,0/T for austenitic steels

15.6.2.3

Reinforcement attached by intermittent welds

Intermittent welding shall be placed on both sides of the reinforcing member. The length of each individual fillet
weld shall not be less than 50 mm. The total length of intermittent welds on each side of the reinforcing member
shall not be less than one-half of the length being reinforced on the shell, see Figure 15.6-3.
In the case of vacuum vessels, the maximum length between two adjacent weld segments shall be d 0,5bR .
The maximum spacing between consecutive weld segments of reinforcing member to vessel shall not be greater
than the lesser of the two adjacent welding segments.
The shear stress in intermittent weld segments shall be calculated by the following equation:

'M

bIw l w

S
I

(15.6.2.2-2)

where
S

is the first moment of area of the section above the welds in with respect to the neutral axis;

is the applicable second moment of area (I11 or I21);

bW

is the total weld throat of the intermittent weld;

lw

is the total length of the intermittent weld.

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In the case of pressure loads, 'M is given by:
a) For the weld bead nearest to the vessel corner
on the long side
'M = Mc - (MD + bR P

K2
2

) = ( bR P ) (

H 2 K2

)
8
2

(15.6.2.2-3)

on the short side

'M = Mc - (MD+ bR P

K2
2

) = ( bR P ) (

h2 K 2

)
8
2

(15.6.2.2-4)

where
MA, MB, MC, MD are bending moments at positions A, B, C and D. Their values are given in equations (15.6.5-3),
(15.6.5-5), (15.6.5-7) and (15.6.5-9);

b)

is the distance from the mid point of the vessel side to the midpoint of the gap between the
beginning of the intermittent weld nearest to the corner and the end of the adjacent intermittent
weld, see Figure 15.6-3.
For all other intermittent weld beads

K 2  K 22
'M = bR p 1
2

(15.6.2.2-5)

where

K1 and K2

are the distances from the mid point of the vessel side to the mid points of the gaps between the
adjacent welds, see Figure 15.6-3(5).

If all the intermittent welds have the same length lw and the same weld throat bw only the calculations given in
a) above are required.

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(1)
b

lw

bw

(2)

lw

bw

(3)
M( )

(4)

(5)
A

= =
A

Figure 15.6-3

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15.6.2.4

In reinforcement webs

In reinforcing elements, the shear stress in the webs shall be calculated by the following equation:

Q
Aweb

(15.6.2.3-1)

where
is the shear force near the corner

and if there is only pressure load

Q

h
H

max P ; P bR
2
2

(15.6.2.3-2)

is the area of the reinforcement web

Aweb
15.6.3

Stability requirements for compressed parts

The maximum width to thickness ratios for the reinforcement sections shown in Figure 15.6-2 shall be in
accordance with Table 15.6-1.
15.6.4

Wall stresses in unsupported zones

On the unsupported rectangular flat plate elements of the vessel wall between or inside the reinforcing elements,
the longitudinal membrane stress and the longitudinal bending stress adjacent to the reinforcement webs shall be
calculated from the following equations:
P hH

e 2h  H 

b
CP
e

(15.6.4-1)

(15.6.4-2)

and C is obtained from Table 15.6-2

Table 15.6-2

g/b

1,2

1,4

1,6

1,8

! 2,15

0,3078

0,3834

0,4356

0,468

0,4872

0,4974

0,5

where
b

is always the length of the smaller side of the rectangular plate

Separate flat plates designs are not required.

The stresses shall be limited as given in 15.5.3.

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15.6.5

Membrane and bending stresses in the transverse section

With reference to Figure 15.6-4, the transverse membrane stresses shall be calculated from the following
equations:
for the short sides

 m D

P h bR
2A1  bR e 

(15.6.5-1)

for the long sides

 m A

P H bR
2A2  bR e 

(15.6.5-2)
C

h/2

h1

e
H/2
H1

Figure 15.6-4 Reinforced vessel

The bending stresses and moments shall be determined from the following equations:
at A,
MA

( b ) A

at B,

MB =

 P bR h 2
24

MA c
I 21

2 1  12 k
3 

1 k

(15.6.5-3)

(15.6.5-4)

2
P bR h 2 1  1 k

12
1  k 

(15.6.5-5)

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MB c
I 21

(V b )B

at C,
P bR h 2
12

MC

( b ) c

Mc c
I11

(15.6.5-6)

1  12 k

1  k 

( b ) C

15.6.6

P bR h 2
24
MD c
I11

(15.6.5-7)

(15.6.5-8)

at D,

MD

1  1 k
3 2  2
1  k 

(15.6.5-9)

(15.6.5-10)

Allowable stresses in the stiffeners and associated walls

The membrane stresses shall be limited as follows:

Vm d f z

(15.6.6-1)

The sum of membrane stresses and bending stresses shall at all points conform to:

V m  V b d 1,5 f z

(15.6.6-2)

where
z = 1 for sides without longitudinal or circumferential welds.

If a section is built of more than one material, f is the value for the material at the point under consideration.
The shear stress in the web and in the weld between stiffener and vessel plate shall not exceed 0,5 f.

15.7

Openings

For perforated plates, the method given in 15.5.2 shall be used.

The following equations for reinforcement of openings can be applied only for openings with rounded corners, with
a side ratio not greater than 2,0 and the diameter of the opening not exceeding 0,8 b. The width of ligament
between the edge of any opening and the side of the vessel shall not be less than the largest of a or 0,1 b of that
opening.
For openings in the rounded corner or closer to the vessel wall a stress analysis shall be performed.
Reinforcement of an opening is not required when:

A
d 1,5 f (Vm + Vb)
Ah

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(15.7-1)

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where
A

is the area of longitudinal cross section between reinforcements without hole;

Ah

is the same area reduced by the hole.

When reinforcement of an opening is required, the required reinforcement shall be calculated according to the
following equation:
Arf

V Vb
d e
0,5 m
1,5 f

(15.7-2)

The reinforcing area A shall be at least Arf and shall be calculated as in 10.6.2.2.
The membrane stress shall be calculated by equations (15.6.5-1) or (15.6.5-2) depending on the location of the
hole on the long side or the short side of the vessel.
The bending stress shall be obtained from the following equations:
for an opening on the short side:
M x 
( b ) x

M D  P bR

x2
2

M x  c

(15.7-3)

(15.7-4)

I 11

for an opening on the long side:

M y 

( b ) y

M A  P bR
M y  c
I 21

y2
2

(15.7-5)

(15.7-6)

If reinforcement pads are used, their thickness shall be limited to nominal vessel wall thickness and in the
calculations they shall not be extended to more than the distance d from the centre of the opening.
No portion of reinforcement shall be considered as applying to more than one opening, nor shall it be considered
more than once in a combined area.

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16

Additional non-pressure loads

16.1

Purpose

This clause provides rules for the design of vessel shells under non-pressure loads in combination with pressure:












Local loads on nozzles in spherical shells;

Local loads on nozzles in cylindrical shells;
Line loads;
Lifting lugs;
Horizontal vessels on saddle supports;
Horizontal vessels on ring supports;
Vertical vessels on bracket supports;
Vertical vessels with supporting legs;
Vertical vessels with skirts;
Vertical vessels with ring supports;
Global loads.

16.2

Specific definitions

The following definitions are in addition to those in clause 3.

16.2.1
local load

a direct force, shear force or bending moment applying at a nozzle or attachment and due to a loading other than
the pressure in the vessel
16.2.2
global bending moment

a moment acting in a plane containing the axis of a shell

NOTE

Examples are moment due to wind loading on a vertical vessel or weight on a horizontal vessel - see Figure 16.2-1.

16.2.3
global axial force

a force acting along the axis of a vessel

NOTE

An example is the action of weight on a vertical vessel, see Figure 16.2-1.

16.2.4
global shear force

a transverse force acting perpendicular to the axis of the vessel

NOTE

334

An example is the shear force at the saddles on a horizontal vessel due to weight.