Local limit-load analysis using the mβ method

Several upper-bound limit-load multipliers based on elastic modulus adjustment procedures converge to the lowest upper-bound value after several linear elastic iterations. However pressure component design requires the use of lower-bound multipliers. Local limit loads are obtained in this paper by invoking the concept of reference volume in conjunction with the m(beta) multiplier method. The lower-bound limit loads obtained compare well to inelastic finite element analysis results for several pressure component configurations.