General mechanics · not code design
Closed-End Thin-Cylinder Membrane-Stress Worksheet
Estimate uniform hoop and pressure-induced axial membrane stress in the straight cylindrical wall, far from discontinuities. The model requires positive internal-over-external pressure and a closed-end thrust path through the analyzed wall.
Model outputs
Uniform thin-cylinder membrane components
σθ = Δp ri/t = Δp Di/(2t)
σz,p = Δp ri/(2t) = Δp Di/(4t)
σeq,mem = √(σθ² − σθσz,p + σz,p²)
Here Δp is internal pressure minus external pressure; Di is internal diameter; ri is internal radius; and t is wall thickness. Pressure and stress share a unit. When MPa and mm are used, stress is MPa. The US route uses exactly 1 in = 25.4 mm and 1 psi = 0.006894757293168361 MPa; displayed stress is converted back to psi.
The hoop expression follows transverse force equilibrium of a longitudinally cut segment. The axial expression follows equilibrium of pressure force on a closed end against the membrane force in the cylindrical wall. It therefore does not apply when another structure carries end thrust or when an additional axial load must be included.
Geometry gate
The cited Purdue mechanics source uses radius at least ten times wall thickness as an assumption for its educational thin-wall analysis. This worksheet therefore calculates only when ri/t ≥ 10. Equality is accepted; a smaller ratio is rejected.
Outside this worksheet
- External-over-internal pressure (negative Δp), vacuum and buckling/stability.
- Open ends, restrained ends, force transferred through another component, or any added axial, bending, thermal, dead-weight, wind, seismic, nozzle or support load.
- Heads, cones, spheres, junctions, openings, nozzles, flanges, supports, weld details, defects and other local discontinuities.
- Plasticity, large deformation, anisotropy, laminates, residual stress, fatigue, creep, fracture, corrosion/erosion allowance or cyclic service.
- Allowable stress, joint efficiency, tolerances, forming/fabrication effects, examination, testing, relief protection and jurisdictional requirements.
Purdue ME 323 Homework Set 10, Problem 10.3
The published solution uses r = 3000 mm, t = 20 mm and p = 2 MPa. It reports r/t = 150, axial stress 150 MPa and hoop stress 300 MPa. Enter Di = 6000 mm to represent that radius. The worksheet independently reproduces those membrane components and gives 259.807621 MPa for the stated in-plane equivalent combination.
| Input / output | Вредност | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Δp, Di, t | 2 MPa, 6000 mm, 20 mm | Published example, with diameter entered as twice the published radius |
| ri/t | 150 | Published solution |
| σz,p | 150 MPa | Published solution |
| σθ | 300 MPa | Published solution |
| σeq,mem | 259.807621 MPa | Independent plane-stress combination, not a reported Purdue answer |
Open mechanics source
Purdue University ME 323 Lecture 30: Thin-walled pressure vessels states the r ≥ 10t, insignificant through-thickness strain variation, plane-stress, linear-elastic and small-deformation assumptions and derives the axial and hoop forms for a cylindrical pressure vessel. Purdue ME 323 Homework Set 10 (Fall 2025), Problem 10.3 supplies the published numerical example used above.
NIST SP 811 Appendix B.8 gives the international inch and pound-force SI factors used to derive the exact psi route; the pressure factor is independently cross-checked against Appendix B.9.
Pressure-vessel codes are not implemented
ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1 (2025) covers design, fabrication, inspection, testing and certification within its scope; the full rules are not reproduced by this three-input equilibrium worksheet.
NBN EN 13445-3:2026, an official national adoption of EN 13445-3:2026, is active and replaces NBN EN 13445-3:2021+A1:2026. It covers design of unfired pressure vessels within the EN 13445 series. Its licensed detailed rules are not claimed or implemented here. Applicable editions, amendments, jurisdiction and contractual requirements must be established for the real project. Sources/status accessed 13 July 2026.