Pressure vessel in a (near) vacuum

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the minimum thickness of a polycarbonate hemispherical head subjected to an internal pressure of 8 psi in a near vacuum environment of 2.8 torr. The outer diameter of the head is specified as 3.5 inches. It is noted that an additional bar of pressure should be considered to account for the external vacuum force. The shell's thickness is described as super thick and seamless, indicating a robust design that mitigates concerns about structural integrity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pressure vessel design principles
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically polycarbonate
  • Familiarity with vacuum pressure measurements (torr and psi)
  • Basic engineering mechanics related to stress and strain
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  • Research polycarbonate material specifications for pressure applications
  • Learn about pressure vessel design codes and standards
  • Explore calculations for minimum thickness in pressure vessels
  • Investigate the effects of external vacuum on structural integrity
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, materials scientists, and professionals involved in the design and analysis of pressure vessels, particularly those working with polycarbonate materials in vacuum applications.

CaptainofIron
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I don't know if its daylight savings or what, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around this analysis.

There is a polycarbonate hemispherical head with 8 psi in a near vacuum environment (2.8 torr)

Im trying to figure out what the minimum thickness is for the head.

The shell is super thick and seamless so I am not worried about it.

The OD is 3.5"
 
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Just add 1 bar to the pressure inside the head to account for the extra force due to the vacuum outside.
 

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