Elastoplastic analysis of functionally graded spherical pressure vessels

Purely elastic, partially plastic and fully plastic stress states of internally pressurized functionally graded spherical pressure vessels are investigated analytically in the framework of small deformation theory. The modulus of elasticity and the uniaxial yield limit of the spherical pressure vessel material are assumed to vary nonlinearly in the radial direction. The plastic model is based on Tresca’s yield criterion and ideal plastic material behavior. It is shown that, unlike in the case of a homogeneous spherical pressure vessel, different modes of plasticization may take place due to the radial variation of the functionally grading parameters.