Three dimensional photoelastic investigation of stresses near reinforced opening in reactor pressure vessel

Abstract

Stresses were investigated in the region of reinforced cylindrical outlets projecting from cylindrical and spherical pressure vessels. "Frozen stress" photoelastic techniques were used in conjunction with scale model vessels made from an epoxy resin. The models were cast approximately to shape and were subsequently machined to final dimensions. Casting and testing procedures are described. Slices containing the frozen stresses were analyzed by several methods to determine the three-dimensional state of stress. These techniques were evaluated, and the oblique incidence method, accompanied by subsequent subslicing was found to be the most suitable. Results from the two models are reported.