ABSTRACT
Flat plates are extensively used in various shapes as pressure or structural parts in pressurse vessels. This chapter covers basic analysis of flat plates: circular, circular rings, and rectangular with different boundary conditions for pressure loads. General equations are given that are flexible for analyzing with any parameters. Rectangular vessel design is limited to a certain arrangement in the ASME code, but in this chapter, design is illustrated with examples so as to apply for any arrangement. Stiffeners are an inherent part of flat plates, and their analysis is covered in detail. Analysis of tube sheets used in heat exchangers along with their stays is covered in detail. Examples are covered with comparison to ASME code rules of design. Coefficients in design equations for moment and stress are shown in the table as well as by equations for convenience of use in design software programs.
