Pressure Model Verification Checklist
Checklist for verifying a pressure vessel FEA model — equilibrium, analytical comparison, mesh convergence, displacement and reporting.
Equilibrium
- Pressure resultant calculated analytically
- FEA reaction forces extracted
- Reaction forces match analytical resultants (< 1%)
- Moment equilibrium checked for non-axisymmetric loads
- Reaction directions physically reasonable
Analytical comparison
- Hoop stress matches p*r/t (thin) or Lame (thick)
- Longitudinal stress matches p*r/(2*t)
- Radial expansion matches analytical prediction
- Displacement direction correct (outward for internal)
Mesh convergence
- Mesh refined at critical locations
- Stress changes < 5% when mesh halved
- No non-convergent results at assessment points
- Singularities identified and handled
Model checks
- Pressure applied to correct surface
- Element normals correct
- End-cap pressure included
- Boundary conditions not over-constraining
- Symmetry valid for loading
- Material properties at correct temperature
Documentation
- Verification results recorded
- Discrepancies investigated and explained
- Mesh convergence documented
- Equilibrium check included in report