A Comparison of Methods for Predicting Residual Stresses in Strain-Hardening, Autofrettaged Thick Cylinders, Including the Bauschinger Effect

High-pressure vessels, such as gun barrels, are autofrettaged in order to increase their operating pressure and fatigue life. Autofrettage causes plastic expansion of the inner section of the cylinder, setting up residual compressive stresses at the bore after relaxation. Subsequent application of pressure has to overcome these compressive stresses before tensile stresses can be developed, thereby increasing its fatigue lifetime and safe working pressure. This paper presents the results from a series of finite element models that have been developed to predict the magnitude of these stresses for a range of end conditions: plane stress and several plane-strain states (open and closed ended, plus true plane strain). The material model is currently bilinear and allows consideration of strain hardening and the Bauschinger effect. Results are compared to an alternative numerical model and a recent analytical model (developed by Huang), and show close agreement. This demonstrates that general purpose finite element analysis software may be used to simulate high-pressure vessels, justifying further refining of the models.