Numerical analysis of the stresses appeared around some lifting ears from a cylinder used in the petrochemical industry

In the petrochemical industry there are many devices with cylindrical shapes such as: columns and horizontal or vertical vessels. All these devices, during the fitting or transporting processes must be raised using some special ears. Using the same methodology with those presented in [1,2,4,5], the paper presents the stresses that appear around some raising ears (made from curved beams) welded on the cylindrical shell. The connection between the ears and cylinder are analysed in two cases: when the ear is welded directly on the cylinder and when the ear is welded on a reinforcement pad welded on the cylinder. Maximum stresses obtained in certain elements of the cylinder (for different thicknesses of the shell) are compared with the allowable limits of the materials.