GATE 2018 ME (ME2) – Question 47
A thin-walled cylindrical can with rigid end caps has mean radius R = 100 mm and wall thickness t = 5 mm. It is pressurized and subjected to additional axial tensile stress of 50 MPa as shown. Stress is uniform along its length. If magnitudes of axial and circumferential stresses are equal, find the internal pressure (MPa), to two decimal places.
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Correct answer: 4.80 to 5.20
Explanation
Hoop stress is $pR/t$. Axial stress includes end-cap pressure and the additional tension: $pR/(2t)+50$ MPa. Equate them: $$\frac{pR}{t}=\frac{pR}{2t}+50\quad\Rightarrow\quad p=100\frac tR.$$ With t = 5 mm and R = 100 mm, **p = 5.00 MPa**.