Comparison of bursting pressure results of LPG tank using experimental and finite element method

Abstract

In this study, the resistance of liquefied-petroleum gas (LPG) tanks produced from carbon steel sheet metal of different thicknesses has been investigated by bursting pressure experiments and non-linear Finite Element Method (FEM) method by increasing internal pressure values. The designs of LPG tanks produced from sheet metal to be used at the study have been realized by analytical calculations made taking into consideration of related standards. Bursting pressure tests have been performed that were inclined to decreasing the sheet thickness of LPG tanks used in industry. It has been shown that the LPG tanks can be produced in compliance with the standards when the sheet thickness is lowered from 3 to 2.8 mm. The FEM results have displayed close values with the bursting results obtained from the experiments. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.