Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Exploring Physical Intuition In Elementary Pressure Vessels, Clive L. Dym, Harry E. Williams

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

It is shown that displacement calculations for two classical ‘chestnuts’ – thick cylinders and spheres under internal and external pressures – present results that are not easily anticipated. Thus, such analyses provide an interesting opportunity for students (and teachers) taking elementary and advanced courses in the strength of materials to explore and perhaps enhance their physical intuition.