Photoelastic stress analysis of thick-walled closed-end cylinders

A three-dimensional photoelastic stress analysis was conducted on six thick-walled closed-end cylinders subjected to internal-pressure loading. The cylinders were approximately similar in design to the breech chamber of a large-caliber tank weapon. Maximum octahedral shear stresses were determined in the side wall-end wall juncture of essentially flat-ended cylinders (similar to actual weapon component) and in hemispherically-ended cylinders. The purpose of the study was to learn more about the stresses in the closed end of the cylinder so that future components of this type may be designed more efficiently with regard to stress and weight.