Finite Element Analysis of In-Plane Displacements and Von-Mises Stresses in Ellipsoidal and Circular Cylinderical Petroleum Tankers

Oluleke Oluwole, Eyere Emagbetere

.

DOI: 10.4236/eng.2013.52024                

Abstract

Road tankers are the most used means of transporting petroleum product to end users due to its cost effectiveness and energy-efficiency. The cylindrical tank has been well designed for by ASME VIII divisions 1 and 2 using analytical equations. Petrol tankers are not circular but elliptical probably for stability during transportation. This paper has used the finite element method to investigate in-plane displacements and Von-Mises stresses in both circular and elliptical cylindrical tanks under full loading. An elliptical OANDO^? tanker of 66.78 m³volume and shell thickness of0.2 mmand an equivalent volume circular cylindrical tank was used for the simulation. MATLAB^? was used to generate geometrical mesh model of the petroleum tankers, extract element coordinates and conduct the finite element analysis. Plane strain condition was used in analyzing a section of the petroleum tanker. It was observed that an equivalent volume circular cylindrical tank was under a higher internal pressure (16,858 N/m²) compared to the elliptical cylinder (14,480 N/m²). Von-Mises stress and in-plane displacements showed direct linear relationships with internal fluid pressure. Von-Mises stress in the elliptical tank was found to be lower (5.7 × 10⁶ N/m²) than for the circular tank (8 × 10⁶ N/m²). In plane displacements was zero in the longitudinal direction for both tanks and of the order of 10^-4 mm in the y-direction for both tanks with the circular larger by about 2.5 × 10^-3 cm. So in addition to tank stability on the lorry, the Von-Mises stresses were lower as well for the elliptical tank. It was also observed that Von-Mises stresses were far below the yield stress of the steel plate. However, the effect of weldment area on lowering of yield stress was not studied. Stress values were validated using analytical method and found to be insignificantly different (P > 0.05).

Keywords

Von-Mises Stress; Petrol Tanks; Finite Element Analysis

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	KSP 10-K, “Transportation of Petroleum Products,” 2012. www.wikinvest.com/stock/KSea_ Transportation_Partners_ LP_%28KSP%29/Transportation
[2]	J. O. Ekpen, “Oil Refinery in Nigeria. (Myths and Truths).” NAEE Conference, Abuja, 28-29 April 2011, 2012. http://naee.org.ng/files/
[3]	K. Babasoki, “Abuja Tanker Explosion,” 2012. Fromogala.wrodpress.com/2011/11/16/latest-news-fromthe-abuja-tanker explosion.
[4]	A. Ola and O. David, “10 Killed in Multiple Tanker Explosions, Building Collapse,” 2012. wwww.vanguardngr.com/2012/06/10-killed-in multiple-tanker-explosion-building-collapse
[5]	Daily Mail Reporter, “86,000 Gallon Oil Tanker Bursts into Flames in Highway Crash Caused by Drunken Driver,” 2012. www.wdailymail.co.uk/news/article-2126891/fuel-tanker-bursts-into-flames-us-freeway-crash-caused-by-drunken-driver
[6]	M. Emeka, “Ogun State Government Silent on Fuel Tanker Explosion,” Vanguard, 2012, 6 Pages.
[7]	O. Uchechukwu and A. Boila, “Vehicles Burnt at Ibadan Tanker Explosion,” 2012. www.tribune.com/ng/.../37648-12vehiclesburnt-inibadan-tanker
[8]	C. Miley, “Melborne Tanker Explosion Burns 9,” 2012. news ninemsn.com.all/ national/8387836/petrol-tanker-explodes-in-melborne-suburb
[9]	B. Godfey and O. Ifeyinwa, “Oil Tanker Explosion Destroys Containers, Cars at Apapa Port,” 2012. www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/oil-tanker explosion-destroys-containers-cars-at-apapa-port
[10]	L. Z. Josef, R. Franz and S. Sebastian, “Pressure Vessel Design—The Direct Route,” 1st Edition’ Elsevier ltd., Oxford, 2006.
[11]	G. B. Richard, “Advance Strength and Applied Stress Analysis,” 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill Publishing Companies Inc., New York, 1999.
[12]	R. B. George, 1995. “Finite Element Analysis,” Shaum’s Outline Series, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1995, 73 Pages.
[13]	?. Mirko, P. Dragan and B. Milan, “Identification of the Stress-Strain State of a Cylindrical Tank with Walls of Variable Thickness,” FME Transactions, Vol. 39, No. 1, 2011, pp. 25-32.
[14]	V. P. Anatoly, Y. F. Sergiy, S. K. Viktor and Z. K. Edward, “Analysis of the Stressed State of Cylindrical Tanks with Defects of Geometrical Shape,” SCAD Group, Kiev, 2003.
[15]	M. Jaroslav, 1996. “Finite Elements in the Analysis of Pressure Vessels and Piping—A Bibliography (19761996),” International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Pipings, Vol. 69, No. 3, 1996, pp. 273-339.
[16]	M. Patrick and A. O. Thomos, “Graphics and GUIs with Matlab,” Chapman & Hall CRC Press Company, London, 2003.
[17]	T. Timoshenko and J. Goodier, “Theory of Elasticity,” McGraw Hill Books Company Inc., New York, 1951.
[18]	C. Ross, “Advance Stress Analysis,” Ellis Horwood Limited, New York, 1987.
[19]	J. N. Ready, “An Introduction to Finite Element Method,” 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, New York, 2006.