Failure correlation between cylindrical pressurized vessels and flat plates

Utilizing the theory of thin shell structures, a failure criterion is presented which one may use to predict, analytically, catastrophic failures, or unzipping, in cylindrical pressurized vessels, based on the fracture toughness profile K obtained from tests carried out on hat plates of the same material and thickness. These test results are plotted as a function of the characteristic ratio (h/c), where h represents the specimen thickness and c one-half of the crack length. Comparison with carefully controlled experimental data substantiates its validity and its potential use. The advantage of such an approach is that considerable amount of time and money can be saved. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.