Bursting problem of filament wound composite pressure vessels

Using the nonlinear finite element method, we have calculated the stresses and the bursting pressure of filament wound solid-rocket motor cases which are a kind of composite pressure vessel. Maximum stress failure criteria and a stiffness-degradatian model were introduced to the failure analysis. The effects of material performance and geometrical nonlinearity on the relative loading capacity of the dome were studied. For the model I case with skirts, relative loading capacity of the dome increased when geometrical nonlinearity was considered and composite material of higher strength was used. But for the model II case without skirts, the conclusion obtained was contrary to that for the model I case. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.