Analysis of a Composite Spherical Vessel Subjected to Pressure and Impact Loadings 861843

A parametric study is presented of spherical tanks made of five different materials which were subjected to internal pressure and ballistic impact. The materials were Ph-14 stainless steel, Kevlar 49/934 epoxy, S-glass/5225 epoxy, T-300 carbon/5208 epoxy, and carbon/PEEK. A complete formulation of the elasticity boundary value problem is developed and appropriate boundary conditions are employed at the inner and outer radii of the composite sphere to solve the displacement differential equation. Numerical values are estimated for the bottle displacement, volumetric strain, and three-dimensional stresses at the critical locations. Results indicate that Kevlar/epoxy and carbon/epoxy composite vessels will save weight and have the high performance of metal tankage.