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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Calculations



What is Thijs's double end cap flying sauser craft?  And when you're
speaking about stress concentrations what, for example,  kind of problems
are you talking about ?

Thanks, - Brian
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Wright" <mwright@smallip.com>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Calculations


> First, since air at mean sea level is roughly 14 PSI, a tank at full
> vaccume is the same as a tank with 1 atmosphere inside at 28 PSI outside
> (or 32 feet of water).
>
> Steel is about the same stregnth and modulus of elasticity in
> compression as in tension.
>
> Here's the thought model I use to envision the difference between
> internal and external pressure.  Take an empty one liter plastic pepsi
> bottle.  It can hold upwards of 55 PSI internal pressure.  However you
> can collapse it with your lungs by suckin on it (far less than 2 PSI).
>
> This should easily illustrate that a tank rated for X psi internal
> pressure is not likely safe to use for X psi external pressure.  A tank
> designed for internal pressure needs no structure to keep it' shape.
>
> The physics of the situation are relatively straightforward.  If a tank
> deforms due to internal pressure it becomes a shape that is loaded
> entirely in tension.  The force from the internal pressure keeps the
> round shape.
>
> If a tank deforms due to external pressure it gets less rather than more
> round, becoming an ellipse.  As this deformation occurs the tank
> structure is loaded more and more in bending rather than compression.
> This leads quickly to a posetive feedback loop that leaves the tank
> looking like the soda bottle with the air sucked out.
>
> The posetive feedback nature of this process is what should scare anyone
> thinking of building an atmospheric submarine.  If you exceed the
> capability of your internal structure to maintain the round shape, the
> hull will begin to oval, as it ovals it will be loaded in bending rather
> than compression, and quite rapidly the hull will collapse on it's self.
>
> So if you wanted to use a tank you'd have to build in all the structure
> to keep it from ovaling under external pressure.  In doing so you'd have
> to make sure not to create stress concentrations in the skin.
>
> It seems to me that you'd rapidly spend more effort and more mass
> stiffening the inside of the hull than would be required to build
> Thijs's double end cap flyin saucer shaped craft (a shape that looks
> quite useful to provide space for a crew of two with a minimum of excess
> air space).
>
> I supose if one had access to a plasma or lazer cutter you could build a
> bolt together, laminated steel internal structure for the tube section
> that could be installed via the main hatch opening.  All this would
> require 3d solid modeling to get the geometry and placement right but
> would be doable.  The modeling will probably show that the end caps
> being spherical makes them less susceptable to the posetive feedback
> loop that would affect the tube section.
>
>
> At any rate, assuming that because a tank is rated to a certain internal
> pressure it will handle that external pressure is incorrect and likely a
> fatal mistake.
>
>
> michael
>
>
>
> Chris Jackson wrote:
>
> > Very good point. Logically, if it thick enough steel to be
> > able withstand internal pressure, it should mean that it is thick enough
> > to withstand an equal amount of external pressure.
> >
> >     ----- Original Message -----
> >     *From:* steve <mailto:steve@kobol.worldonline.co.uk>
> >     *To:* personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >     <mailto:personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >     *Sent:* Tuesday, July 08, 2003 4:52 PM
> >     *Subject:* Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Calculations
> >
> >     Hi All
> >
> >     i noticed a lot of talk recently about propane tanks, the thread was
> >     a bit dead but i gathered that the question of 'Is it worth using
> >     that old propane tank in the garden', was dumped because the
> >     work would probably be more involved to convert a tank than to just
> >     buy the tube and end caps.
> >
> >     My question though is, how does it compare with cost?  If the cost
> >     of the tank is say 1/2 the price would it be a viable option?
> >
> >     I had the opportunity to check a propane tank up close recently; i
> >     keep seeing psubs in all types of pressure tanks now...i think it's
> >     called obsessive compulsive disorder.
> >     Anyway, thinking as you do, that it would be a great size for a psub
> >     i checked out the plate attached to one end.
> >
> >     The plate read:
> >     /*Manf: Robert Bros*/
> >     */BS1500 Class 2/*
> >     */210psi and Full Vacuum/*
> >     */TP 310psi/*
> >     */310 Gals/*
> >
> >     A thought came to me, i remember on previous posts, a lot of talk
> >     about the pressure vessel only being rated for internal pressure.
> >     If it states that it can also withstand a FULL VACUUM, how does that
> >     affect its suitability as a psub hull?
> >
> >     I may be completely wrong here but, can vacuum stresses be compared
> >     with external pressure stresses?
> >     It seems to me that if the internal pressure was reduced to 1/2 ATM
> >     then wouldn't that be the same as applying 2 ATM pressure to the
> >     outside of a hull?
> >
> >     i understand that once the pressure vessel used for a purpose it is
> >     not intended for (ie. cut / welded etc.) the figures wouldn't be
> >     valid anyway, but it makes me think
> >
> >     anybody got any ideas???
> >
> >     Regards
> >
> >     Steve Bosworh
> >     UK
> >
> >
> >     P.S.    I did check out the manufacturer but they apparently don't
> >     exist anymore and the BS number is now obsolete and doesn't say
much.
> >
> >     ----- Original Message -----
> >
> >         *From:* Chris Jackson <mailto:trumpetrhapsody@comcast.net>
> >         *To:* personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >         <mailto:personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >         *Sent:* Tuesday, July 08, 2003 9:10 PM
> >         *Subject:* Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Calculations
> >
> >         After futher research and sudgestions, I have found that at 100
> >         meters the water exerts a pressure of about 162psi, but what I
> >         am not sure of is whether an air tank (decided on an air
> >         tank instead of a propane tank due to price and comments I have
> >         read about propane tanks) with a 165psi rating would hold up
> >         to that kind of EXTERNAL force, since I assume the rating aplies
> >         to the INTNERAL force rating.
> >
> >             ----- Original Message -----
> >             *From:* Chris Jackson <mailto:trumpetrhapsody@comcast.net>
> >             *To:* personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >             <mailto:personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >             *Sent:* Tuesday, July 08, 2003 1:12 PM
> >             *Subject:* Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Calculations
> >
> >             I have recently aquired more information, however I still
> >             uncertain of several things. I found this link:
> >             http://hotconnect.com/tank/vertair.htm and I am considering
> >             the 36" by 98" tank made with carbon steel, but I am unsure
> >             which pressure rating to use, the depths I
> >             am considering will be in the 50-100 meter range, but
> >             possibly shallower since this will mainly be used in
freshwater
> >
> >                 ----- Original Message -----
> >                 *From:* Chris Jackson
<mailto:trumpetrhapsody@comcast.net>
> >                 *To:* personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >                 <mailto:personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >                 *Sent:* Tuesday, July 08, 2003 11:12 AM
> >                 *Subject:* [PSUBS-MAILIST] Calculations
> >
> >                 I am trying to do some calculations to figure out such
> >                 things as crush depth and required hull thickness. The
> >                 constants are that the pressure hull will be 36 inches
> >                 in internal diameter and 100 inches long, and what I
> >                 need to know is the relationship of hull thickness
> >                 versus crush-depth with these parameters. If anyone can
> >                 provide me results or information of a simple
> >                 calculation program, I would be much appreciative.
> >
> >                 Thank you,
> >                 Chris Jackson
>
>
>