Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Stress Intensity Factors in a Spherical Pressure Vessel with Functionally Graded Coating

This research pertains to the three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) of the stress intensity factors (SIFs) along the crack front in a spherical pressure vessel coated with functionally graded material (FGM). The vessel is subjected to internal pressure and thermal gradient. The exponential function is adopted for property of FGMs. SIFs are obtained for a wide variety of crack shapes and layer thickness. The reported results clearly show that the material gradation of coating and the crack configuration can significantly affect the variation of SIFs along the crack front. The results are given which are applicable for fatigue life assessment and fracture endurance of FGM coating spherical pressure vessel and can be used in design purposes.