Non-dimensional thermoelastic model of a compound annular cylinder in a stress-free state with internal heat generation

A non-dimensional, axisymmetric, thermal-stress model for a three-layer cylinder with internal heating has been developed. Such a geometry is encountered in an annular target for isotope production. The middle cylinder is the heat generating source with an assumed thermal expansion coefficient that is smaller than that of the other two cylinders enclosing it. Hence, the development of the solution is based on the assumption that interfacial separation occurs at the interface of the middle cylinder and the outer cylinder, while contact is reinforced between the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder. The commercial finite element code Abaqus FEA is used to obtain a numerical model which is validated using the developed analytical solution. The non-dimensional analytical solution has been presented in a simplified, generalized form, and can be applied to either of the cylinders by adjusting a few parameters. The non-dimensional variable groupings allow physical insight into how the stresses and temperature distributions evolve. A detailed solution procedure along with a discussion of the results has been provided.