International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR)

ISSN: 2321-0869, Volume-2, Issue-9, September 2014

Investigation of Stresses in Ring Stiffened Circular

Cylinder
Neetesh N. Thakre, Dr. D. V. Bhope

Abstract This study deals with the stress analysis of

cylinder using Finite Element Method. The analysis is carried
out in ANSYS. The FE results are compared with theoretical
results. The proposed work is aimed to analyze the cylinder with
the stiffeners under static load conditions. From the analysis it is
found that, there is a good agreement between analytical and FE
results. From the analysis of cylinder with stiffener it is
concluded that the minimum hoop and radial stresses are
developed for cylinder with inner triangular stiffener. When the
number of stiffeners increases then the buckling pressure
capacity also increases and deformation decreases. So, the
stiffener are recommended not to reduce the stress levels but to
increase buckling load capacity of cylindrical vessesls.

Fig.1.2 Cylinder with Triangular Stiffener

.

Index Terms Stress Analysis , Stiffener, Buckling ,

Cylinder.

Fig.1.3 Cylinder with Trapezoidal Stiffener

I. INTRODUCTION
The cylindrical shells structures play an important
role for underwater applications, space vehicles and aircrafts
in terms of its buckling, stiffness, strength and weight etc.
Hence the importance of lightweight and high strength
materials such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys and
composite materials have become significant. In the present
work the problem of cylinder with stiffener of varying
dimensions at different locations under static load conditions
is analyzed using analytical as well as FE approach. The
proposed analysis involves the study of cylinder with different
cross-section of stiffener ring with same cross-sectional area
of stiffener for each of the cases. The cross-sectional view of
the cylinder with stiffener ring for three cases is shown in fig
2.1, 2.2 & 2.3 for rectangular, triangular & trapezoidal
stiffener respectively.

A. Investigation of Stresses in Cylinder:

Following data is assumed for analysis:
Internal pressure = Pi = 10 Mpa
Inner diameter= d1 = 100 mm
Thickness (t) of simple cylinder is given by equation
(1),

Hoop stress is given by equation (2),

Radial stress at the inner surface is given by equation

(3),

To verify the analytical result for hoop stress and radial

stress of cylinder FE model is prepared with same geometric
dimensions.
The comparison of analytical and FE results of cylinder is
shown in table 2.1.
Fig 1.1 Cylinder with Rectangular Stiffener

Manuscript received September 11, 2014.

Neetesh N. Thakre , P. G. Student, Department of Mechanical
Engineering R.C.E.R.T., Chandrapur.
Dr. D. V. Bhope, Professor and Head Department of Mechanical
Engineering, R.C.E.R.T., Chandrapur.

97

Table 2.1 Comparison of Analytical and FE results:

Results
Analytical
FEA
Error (%)
Hoop stress
105.24
105.171
0.065
(Mpa)
Radial stress
-10
-9.933
0.67
(Mpa)

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Investigation of Stresses in Ring Stiffened Circular Cylinder

II. EFFECT OF STIFFENING RING ON STRESSES AND

DEFORMATION IN CYLINDER:
Circumferential stiffeners have been considered for
cylinder. FE analysis is carried out by using ANSYS
considering different types and location of stiffener. The
specifications of the cylinder for FE analysis considered are
as follows
Inner diameter ( ) = 100 mm
Thickness (t) =5 mm
Internal pressure ( ) = 10 MPa
Modulus of elasticity (E) = 200
N/
Poissons ratio () = 0.3

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.5 Cylinder with three Rectangular outer Stiffeners

The stress contours for various stiffeners on cylinder has

shown in fig.3.1 to 3.6 for inner & outer rectangular stiffener,
fig.3.7 to 3.12, for inner & outer triangular stiffener &
fig.3.13 to 3.18 for inner & outer trapezoidal stiffener.
(a) Hoop stress
(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.6 Cylinder with three Rectangular inner Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.1 Cylinders with one Rectangular outer Stiffener
(a) Hoop stress
(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.7 Cylinder with one Triangular outer Stiffener

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.2 Cylinder with one Rectangular inner Stiffener
(a) Hoop stress
(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.8 Cylinder with one Triangular inner Stiffener

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.3 Cylinder with two Rectangular outer Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.9 Cylinder with two Triangular outer Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.4 Cylinder with two Rectangular Inner Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.10 Cylinder with two Triangular inner Stiffeners
98

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International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR)

ISSN: 2321-0869, Volume-2, Issue-9, September 2014

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.11 Cylinder with three Triangular outer Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.17 Cylinder with three Trapezoidal outer Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.12 Cylinder with three Triangular inner Stiffeners

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.18 Cylinder with three Trapezoidal inner Stiffeners

The variation of number of stiffening ring on

Deformation is shown in fig 3.19 to 3.24 for cylinder with
rectangular, triangular & trapezoidal stiffeners.

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.13 Cylinder with one Trapezoidal outer Stiffener

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.14 Cylinder with one Trapezoidal inner Stiffener

Radial Deformations (mm)

Radial Deformation (mm)

1.5

1
0.5
0
0

Number of stiffeners

0.8
0.6

0.4
0.2
0
0

Number of stiffeners

Fig 3.19: Effect of no. of outer Fig 3.20: Effect of no. of inner
rectangular stiffeners on
rectangular stiffeners on
deformation in cylinder
deformation in cylinder

Radial Deformations (mm)

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.15 Cylinder with two Trapezoidal outer Stiffeners

Radial Deformatios (mm)

0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0

Number of stiffeners

99

0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0

Number of stiffeners

Fig 3.21: Effect of no. of outer

triangular stiffeners on
on deformation in cylinder

(a) Hoop stress

(b) Radial stress
Fig: 3.16 Cylinder with two Trapezoidal inner Stiffeners

0.05

Fig 3.22: Effect of no. of inner

triangular stiffeners
deformation in cylinder

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Investigation of Stresses in Ring Stiffened Circular Cylinder

Effect of Stiffening Ring on Buckling Load Capacity of

Cylinder:

Fig 5.23: Effect of no. of

outer trapezoidal stiffeners
deformation in cylinder.

Fig 3.24: Effect of no. of inner

on trapezoidal stiffeners on
deformation in cylinder

III. DETERMINATION OF BUCKLING LOAD CAPACITY OF

CYLINDER:
Based on the classical theory, a simple expression for the
buckling load under external pressure for two dimensional
isotropic shells in plain strain is given by equation (4).

The specification of the cylinder for buckling load

capacity FE analysis is considered as followsInner diameter ( ) = 100 mm
Thickness (t) =5 mm
External pressure ( ) = 10 MPa
Modulus of elasticity (E) = 200
N/mm2
Poissons ratio () = 0.3
The specification of rectangular stiffener for FE analysis
is considered as follows
Breadth of stiffener = 10 mm
Thickness of stiffener = 5 mm
The effect of stiffening ring on buckling load capacity of
cylinder is shown in fig.5.1 to 5.5

Where,
A = radius of shell
h = Thickness
E = Modulus of elasticity
= Poisson ratio

Fig: 5.1 Buckling of cylinder

The specification for above analysis are specified

as followsE = Modulus of elasticity= 210
Mpa
= Poissons ratio = 0.3
h = Thickness of the cylinder = 5 mm
a = Radius of cylinder
Pcr = Critical pressure.

Fig: 5.2 Buckling of cylinder

With one stiffener

Fig: 5.3 Buckling of

cylinder with two stiffeners

Fig: 5.4 Buckling of

cylinder with three stiffeners

The solid model of cylinder, the meshing of FE

model, the pressure loading on cylinder & the result of
buckling load capacity are shown in fig. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, & 4.4
respectively.

Fig: 4.1 FE Model of Cylinder

Fig: 4.2 Meshing of FE Model

Fig: 5.5 Buckling of cylinder with four stiffeners

The variation of number of stiffening ring on
buckling load capacity in cylinder is shown in fig.5.6
Fig: 4.3 External Pressures
on Cylinder

Fig: 4.4 Display Result

100

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International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research (IJETR)

ISSN: 2321-0869, Volume-2, Issue-9, September 2014
IV. RESULTS, DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION:
Buckling pressure(mpa)

150

The comparison of analytical and FE result of cylinder

is shown in table 6.1

100

Table 6.1 Comparison of Analytical and FE result of cylinder

50

Results
0
0

Analytical
FEA
Difference

No. of stiffeners

Hoop Stress
(MPa)
105.24
105.171
0.065%

Radial Stress
(MPa)
-10
-9.933
0.67%

Fig 5.6 No. of Stiffeners Vs Buckling Load Capacity

The Comparison of Stresses in Cylinder with Inner and Outer Stiffeners is given in table 6.2.
Table 6.2 Comparisons of Stresses in Cylinder with Inner and Outer Stiffeners
Outer stiffener
Parameters

Hoop stress Radial stress

(MPa)
(MPa)

Cylinder with rectangular stiffener

Cylinder with two rectangular stiffeners.
Cylinder with three rectangular stiffeners.
Cylinder with triangular stiffener.
Cylinder with two triangular stiffeners.
Cylinder with three triangular stiffeners.
Cylinder with trapezoidal stiffener.
Cylinder with two trapezoidal stiffeners.
Cylinder with three trapezoidal stiffeners.

81.578
83.37
79.417
79.855
82.041
77.844
82.502
83.998
80.83

-17.104
-17.63
-16.996
-17.641
-18.246
-17.693
-17.121
-18.011
-17.005

Comparison of buckling pressure is shown in Table 6.3.

Table 6.3 Comparison of Buckling Pressure
Type of Analysis

Buckling Pressure
(MPa)

Analytical

57.69

FE (Eigen value buckling

analysis )

75.266

Simple cylinder
Cylinder with 1 rectangular
stiffener
Cylinder with 2 rectangular
stiffeners
Cylinder with 3 rectangular
stiffeners
Cylinder with 4 rectangular
stiffeners

0.9791
0.7985
0.2110
0.0364
0.0315
0.0284
0.0775
0.0437
0.0378

Hoop stress Radial stress

(MPa)
(MPa)

80.437
82.931
77.403
79.617
82.251
76.665
81.091
83.397
78.767

-13.184
-13.921
-13.581
-14.783
-15.554
-15.261
-14.245
-14.277
-13.804

Deformatio
n
(mm)

0.6738
0.5941
0.3351
0.0419
0.0329
0.0270
0.1441
0.0429
0.0279

The buckling analysis revealed that, the buckling load

capacity of cylinder increases with increase in number of
stiffeners. So, the stiffeners are recommended to reduce the
deformation and to increase the buckling pressure capacity.

Error
(%)
23.35

REFERENCES:

The Comparison of Buckling Load as Per Number of

Stiffener is given in table 6.4.
Table 6.4 Comparison of Buckling Load as Per Number
of Stiffeners
Parameters

Inner stiffener
Deformatio
n
(mm)

Buckling
Pressure (MPa)
75.266

Deformation
(mm)
0.02848

95.102

0.02523

98.366

0.02501

102.53

0.02482

114.95

0.02238

From the analysis it is observed that the inner and

outer stiffeners provided on cylinder does not appreciably
reduce the stress levels but the deformations are reduced
considerably.
It is also seen that the effect of reduction in stress
value is more for inner stiffener as compared to outer stiffener
but the difference is very marginal.
101

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