DETERMINATION OF STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR FRAMED CYLINDERS

Comparison is made between two methods of calculating stress intensity factors for a circumferentially cracked framed cylinder, one using a finite element program APES, and one using a semi-analytical approach based on weight functions embodied in a computer program KTUBE. It is shown the answers obtained by the two methods are very similar, but that KTUBE is very much more efficient in computing and data preparation time. The effect of the stiffener on stress intensity is reviewed. It is concluded that, for first estimate calculations, ignoring the stiffener and using the plain cylinder solutions in conjunctions with the local bending and tension, shell stress will produce an acceptably accurate answer.