Computational models for the stress analysis of metal composite overwrapped pressure vessels

Abstract

Abstract. Due to their high weight efficiency, filament wound composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) are widely used in aerospace and satellite structures. However, there are certain difficulties in design and analyzing the structural behavior of COPVs, which require improved computational models. The aim of this study is to compare models developed for finite element analysis of a COPV subjected to internal pressure. Factors the models should take into account to ensure adequate representation of the structural features are formulated. Custom procedures integrated into a commercial package are used to generate 3D and axisymmetric models. The results of the stress analysis of a pressure vessel with a thin titanium liner overwrapped by a carbon/epoxy composite obtained with different computational models are compared.