Reliability of piecewise-homogeneous glass shell structures

On the basis of the interrelation established between the long-term strength of material (glass specimens) and glass products the algorithm for evaluating the reliability of piecewise-homogeneous glass structures has been developed. It is applied to estimate the reliability of a circular cylindrical shell of such a type under atmosphere pressure and various ambient temperatures on its parts. Division of the parts of the glass structure surface into the regions under quasi-homogeneous and simple stress states is realized. The fields of total principal stresses in the structure surface layer influencing its reliability are determined. The technological (residual) and service stresses are obtained by combined experimental and theoretical methods. The method for residual technological stresses determination is based on the procedure of formulation and solution of conditionally correct inverse shells theory problem for such structures with inherent stresses utilizing the distribution technique. The thermal stresses in the structure are calculated by the combined numerical and analytical method. The reliability calculations for the structure are performed for the 5 years of its operation.