Boiler plate and staybolts are primarily subjected to what type of stress?

Boiler plates and staybolts experience primarily tensile stress due to the internal pressure generated within the boiler. As the boiler heats water and converts it to steam, the pressure increases, causing the boiler plates to expand outward. This outward force pulls on the material of the plates and the staybolts, creating tension along their length.

Staybolts play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the boiler by resisting this tensile force. They help to hold the plates together and prevent them from separating due to the internal pressure. If these components were not designed to handle tensile stress, they could yield or fail, leading to dangerous situations such as leaks or boiler explosions.

Understanding the types of stress that boiler components experience is fundamental for their design and maintenance, ensuring safety and operational efficiency in high-pressure systems.