Structural calculator

Hoop Stress Calculator

Estimate membrane stresses from pressure, diameter, and wall thickness.

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Calculator

Enter structural values

Select units beside each input. Results update automatically.

Structural

Result

About this calculator

How it works

Thin-wall pressure vessel equations are valid when diameter is much larger than wall thickness.

Formulas

Formulas used

Hoop stress

sigma_h = P D / (2 t)

Longitudinal stress

sigma_l = P D / (4 t)

Worked example

Example calculation

Hoop stress

1 MPa, 1 m diameter, 10 mm wall gives 50 MPa

Guide

How to use this calculator

Enter the relevant load, stress, geometry, material, or member values.
Select units beside each input where unit menus are shown.
Use the highlighted result for screening, then check assumptions before design use.

Reference

What the results mean

Hoop stress

Circumferential membrane stress.

Longitudinal stress

Axial membrane stress in closed ends.

Assumptions and limits

Before using the result

These are simplified elastic or empirical checks for early-stage engineering review.
Final structural design requires correct boundary conditions, load paths, code checks, material data, factors of safety, and professional review.
Complex tools here provide key values or simplified estimates rather than a full structural analysis model.

FAQ

Hoop Stress Calculator questions

Are these results suitable for final structural design?

Use these calculators for education, screening, and early checks only. Final structural design must follow applicable codes, load combinations, safety factors, material data, and qualified engineering review.

Why can real structures differ from these results?

Real structures include boundary conditions, imperfections, connection behavior, load eccentricity, dynamics, residual stress, buckling modes, fatigue, and code-specific requirements.

Can I use different units?

Yes. Select units beside inputs where menus are shown. Values are converted internally before solving.