Three-dimensional finite element analysis of saddle supported pressure vessels

A three-dimensional finite element analysis is made of a pressure vessel resting on flexible saddle supports. The analysis is carried out using a newly developed thick shell element and accounts for frictional contact between the support and the vessel. The seven-parameter shell element is capable of describing the variation of the stress and the strain fields through its thickness. A variational inequalities based formulation is utilised for the accurate description of this class of frictional contact problems. Different pressure vessel configurations are considered and the resulting contact stresses are examined. The effect of saddle radius, saddle width, plate extension, and support overhang on the resulting stress field in both vessel and support are evaluated and discussed.