Analysis of multi-layered thick-walled filament-wound hydrogen storage vessels

In this paper a three-dimensional elasticity analysis on multi-layered thick-walled filament-wound hydrogen storage vessels is outlined. An exact solution to stresses of the metal liner and each anisotropic layer is presented, based on Lekhnitskii's theory and the generalized plane strain assumption. The governing equation for determining the radial displacement of the hydrogen vessel is derived and the stresses in the cylindrical coordinates are then obtained. The matrix equation that determines the integration coefficients of the governing equation is formulated by considering the boundary and interface conditions. The normal and in-plane shear stresses and the twisting rate of the vessel are calculated for various thicknesses of the aluminum liner; the results are then compared to those presented by Xia et al. It is shown that the addition of the liner significantly reduces the stress magnitude of the hydrogen vessel; this stress magnitude decreases as the liner thickness increases. The results also revealed that the twisting effect is reduced by increasing the liner thickness. The ratio of hoop-to-axial stress is no longer a constant through the vessel wall and varies within the wall thickness. In addition, various combinations of anisotropic composites and isotropic liner materials are here examined to pinpoint preferable material combinations that lead to a lower equivalent stress level of the liner and higher strength reserve of the composite laminate.