What is Pressure Thrust?
Pressure thrust (also called pressure end effect) is the axial force generated by internal pressure acting on an effective cross‑sectional area at a vessel or nozzle termination.
It is not a stress, but a force, and it must be considered in load equilibrium at vessel–nozzle junctions.
Pressure Thrust Formula
In AutoPIPE Vessel, pressure thrust is calculated as:
Where:
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- PT = Pressure Thrust
- Ps = Internal design pressure
- ro = Outside radius
- t = Wall thickness
How APV Applies Pressure Thrust
AutoPIPE Vessel combines pressure thrust with externally applied radial or axial loads as:
Total Radial Load P = FR + PT
Where:
-
- FR = User-applied radial/axial load
- PT = Pressure thrust
⚠️ Important Distinction
-
- Pressure thrust must not be confused with stresses caused by internal pressure.
- Pressure thrust generates an additional axial force, whereas internal pressure generates membrane stresses calculated per code formulas.
See Also