Stresses in bottles with oval cross-section when subjected to internal pressure 

GT V01 1960 085-093

The present work shows theoretically and experimentally the effect of slight ovality on the stresses produced in nominally circular pressure containers, such as glass bottles. In the theoretical treatment variations in the material thickness are taken into account. Five different "" characteristic cross-sections have been subjected to special investigation. By taking certain conditions into account, very short cylinders may be used, and the measuring equipment then becomes rather simple. With well-defined cross-sections, good agreement is obtained between theory and experimental results. Specially prepared steel cylinders are used in the experiments. Other experiments demonstrate how the results can be adapted to glass bottles. Here difficulties in defining the cross-sections and phenomena of enclosure produce complications. The results obtained will most likely create demands for roundness in bottles exposed to internal pressure. With the existing trend towards light-weight bottles, the matter will be of increasing importance.

A.O. Hougen