Thermal Effect on Buckling of General Dome Ends Using Finite Element Method

In this study, the elastic buckling behavior of general dome ends under presumed temperature distribution and external pressure was studied. The Finite Element Method (FEM) was used to predict the elastic buckling pressure behavior when the domes were subjected to various operating temperatures. The freedom of the edges of the dome ends was completely restricted to simulate clamped end conditions. The four-centered ellipse method was used to construct the geometry of the dome ends. The influence of geometrical parameters such as thickness, knuckle radius, and the ratio of minor axis to the major axis of dome ends and the effect of temperature on critical buckling pressure of hemispherical, ellipsoidal, and torispherical dome ends were studied. It has been found that the under thermal condition, the thickness and the shape of the domes have the most significant effect on the critical buckling pressure. Two models of torispherical and ellipsoidal dome ends are analyzed by using finite element analysis.