Shakedown behaviour of thick cylindrical vessels with crossholes

A finite element investigation of the shakedown behaviour of thick cylindrical pressure vessels with crossholes subject to cycling internal pressure is presented. Radial and offset crossholes with circular and elliptical cross-sections are considered, with three types of intersection between the crosshole and main bore: plain, chamfered and blended. The results show that the crosshole significantly alters the shakedown behaviour of thick cylindrical vessels. The limit pressure is relatively unaffected, but the shakedown pressure decreases significantly. This increases the possibility of cyclic plasticity failure mechanisms in thick cylinders for a wider range of cylinder geometries. The form of the intersection between the crosshole and main bore does not significantly affect the shakedown behaviour.