Volume of (any) ellipsoid

Vol=4/3*pi*a*b*c, where a,b,c is the radius of each major axis

A head is half an ellipsoid, i.e. Volume of ellipsoidal head:

Vol=2/3*pi*a*b*c For an semi-ellipsoidal head, the inside of the head is 2:1, i.e a=D/2, b=D/2, c=D/4, i.e. Vol_inside = 2/3*pi*(D/2)^2*(D/4) = 1/24*pi*D^3 For the outside of a (inside) semi-ellipsoidal head: a=D/2+t, b=D/2+t, c=D/4+t i.e. Vol_outside = 2/3*pi*(D/2+t)^2*(D/4+t) Then weight of shell is Weight=2/3*pi*((D/2+t)^2*(D/4+t)-(D/2)^2*(D/4))*density Assuming no variations in head thickness after rolling, this formula should give the correct value for all thicknesses.

(pi/24)*(OD^3-ID^3)*Density

Ellipsoidal head

There are 2 types of Ellipsoidal heads: Ellipsoidal head 2:1 acc. ASME VIII Div. 1 and 2 Ellipsoidal head 1,9:1 acc. NF E 81-103

The dimension values 2:1 respectively 1,9:1 are the ratio between the small and the large axis of the ellipses. Both head shapes correspond nearly to the geometry of the Semi-ellipsoidal head acc. DIN 28013. The dimensions can be approximately calculated as follows:

Semi ellipsoidal head

The standard is valid for one-piece dished heads with and without welding seam with an outside diameter Da <= 4000 mm and a nominal wall thickness s<= 50 mm. Tolerances for height, circumference, unroundness, thickness etc. can be taken from the specification for a torispherical head acc. DIN 28011.

http://www.koenig-co.de/english/pages/boeden/bod_kb.htm