Homogeneous eigenfunction method applied to the elasticity problem of a pressure vessel with a hemispherical head

A semi-analytical three-dimensional method is applied to the axisymmetric problem of elastic stress analysis of a shell intersection consisting of a pressure vessel with a hemispherical head. The method uses the homogeneous eigenfunction technique of formulating general solutions to the governing equations and the numerical boundary-point-least-squares procedure of satisfying the continuity conditions on the vessel-head interface. A comparison is made with a previous shell theory solution and the present method is assessed for suitability for more complex intersection problems. (Auth.)