Thin Cylinders

In general, if the thickness of the wall of a shell is less than 1/10th to 1/15th of its diameter, it is known as a thin shell.

Stresses in a Thin Cylindrical Shell

The walls of the cylindrical shell will be subjected to the following two types of tensile stresses:

1. Circumferential/Hoop stress

2. Longitudinal stress.

Circumferential/Hoop Stress

Consider a thin cylindrical shell subjected to an internal pressure as shown in Fig.(a) and (b).

We know that as a result of the internal pressure, the cylinder has a tendency to split up into two troughs as shown in the figure.

Let l= Length of the shell

d = Diameter of the shell,

Longitudinal Stress

Consider the same cylindrical shell, subjected to the same internal pressure as shown in Fig. (a) and (b). below. We know that as a result of the internal pressure, the cylinder also has a tendency to split into two pieces as shown in the figure.

Let p = Intensity of internal pressure,

l = Length of the shell,

d = Diameter of the shell and

t = Thickness of the shell.