Hoop Stress Calculator

Find the hoop stress in a thin-walled pressure vessel.

Internal pressure (Pa)

Inner radius

Wall thickness

Hoop stress (MPa) 30

Formula: σ = p·r ÷ t

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. Internal pressure = 500,000 Pa

3. Inner radius = 0.3

4. Wall thickness = 0.005

6. Hoop stress = 30MPa

Did we solve your problem today?

Hoop (circumferential) stress is the dominant stress in a pressurized pipe or tank wall.

The math behind it

σ = p·r ÷ t for a thin wall. It is twice the longitudinal stress, so vessels tend to split along their length.

5 bar in a 0.3 m radius, 5 mm wall → 30 MPa.

Why do pipes burst lengthwise?

Hoop stress is the largest, tearing the wall along its length.