How to Calculate Minimum Material for a Cylindrical Pressure Vessel?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the minimum material required for a cylindrical pressure vessel, focusing on the mathematical modeling of its dimensions and material thickness. Participants explore the implications of different geometrical configurations, particularly for hollow cylinders, and the conditions that affect the calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using calculus to determine the minimum material needed for a hollow cylindrical pressure vessel, providing initial equations for volume and surface area.
  • Another participant points out that the volume of a ball is not the same as that of a cylinder and emphasizes the need for clarity regarding the conditions under which the calculations are made.
  • A different participant acknowledges a mistake in the volume formula and discusses the implications of the hollow nature of the cylinder on surface area and material calculations.
  • Concerns are raised about the assumption that the volume being constant does not affect the outcome, with a participant questioning whether specific values are necessary for deriving equations.
  • Some participants argue that without clear constraints, such as whether the height or surface area is to remain constant, the discussion lacks direction and clarity.
  • There is a suggestion that the volume of a hollow cylinder should be calculated as the difference between the outer and inner cylinder volumes, and that the mid-surface area times thickness could be a relevant approach for thin-walled vessels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of constraints in the calculations, with some insisting that conditions must be specified for meaningful results, while others seem to downplay their significance. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to calculate the minimum material required.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the initial problem statement, particularly the lack of clarity on constraints and assumptions regarding the dimensions and properties of the pressure vessel.

lazypast
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Hi
I know calculus can be used to calculate the dimensions of an object and the minimum material which can be used. It is a pressure vessel of a cylindrical shape.
v= \frac {4 \pi r^3} {3}
A=2 \pi r^2 + 2 \pi rh

as the cylinder is hollow the thickness of the walls is found by

t= \frac {pd} {4 \sigma }

sigma = 300x10^6 Nm^{-2} (steel i think?)
p = pressure
d = diameter

I have found amount of material can be calculated by surface area multiplied by thickness but would like wo see the minimum amount of material used proved by calculus
 
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1. The volume of a ball is not the same as the volume of a cylinder..

2. You have a HOLLOW cylinder; it's surface area is not the same as the surface area of a compact cylinder.

3. The volume of a cylindrical shell, where the shell has a non-zero thickness is NOT given by the "surface area" multiplied multiplied with the thickness.
Why should it be that?

4. In order to find a "minimum amount of material", you need to state what CONDITIONS should hold. Is the height to be constant? Is the net surface area to be constant?
Or what? You haven't clarified the situation at all.
 
1 of course a silly mistake V= \pi r^2 h
2 a hollow cylinder with closed ends i might add, with uniform thickness. I don't know if being hollow will have a change on the outcome, although the surface area will be nearly double.
3 i would say the inner part of wall is less than the outer wall so if i do that multiplication the value will turn out higher than the actual value.

if i get a formula for the cylinder which I am on about, i would say the actual thickness is the integral of that formula with limits of the outer and inner radius.
4. volume is constant v = 3.3m^3 although i thought that wouldn't have mattered. r and h variables.
as a second thought i may stay with my original approximation as this seems too demanding
 
3.The volume of a hollow cylinder is evidently the difference between the volume of the outer cylinder and the "removed" inner cylinder. Is that really too hard to understand?

4. Well, if you do not think that condition matters, then obviously, a cylinder of ZERO volume will use the least amount of material.
 
4 i thought the actual value of 3.3m^3 didnt matter.
do you actually need values to find an equation or can you replace 3.3m^3 with v??
5 I am nearly certain only mentors give constructive replis
 
He has just trying to help lazypast, if you don't like it then learn it yourself or ask a mentor directly.
 
ive clarified a the things which have been asked, and still I am in need of help. i found his post patronising
 
arildno said:
2. You have a HOLLOW cylinder; it's surface area is not the same as the surface area of a compact cylinder.

3. The volume of a cylindrical shell, where the shell has a non-zero thickness is NOT given by the "surface area" multiplied multiplied with the thickness.
Why should it be that?

I guess the question is something about a thin walled cylindrical pressure vessel. In that case the volume is (to the usual engineering appoximation) the area of the mid-surface plane times the thickness.

It's impossible to make any sense of the question unless you tell us the constraints that apply. Otherwise, the minimum amount of material is obviously for a vessel of size zero.
 
lazypast said:
4. volume is constant v = 3.3m^3 although i thought that wouldn't have mattered. r and h variables.

volume, v=constant
radius, r = variable
height, h = variable

i see why you would use the mid point of the wall thickness, i assume that is just thickness/2 ?

edit, are there some constraints that you ask of which i am leaving out?
 

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