Analytical approach for predicting the burst pressure of filament wound composite pressure vessel is presented. Dome contour which satisfies geodesic condition and force balance is described using the netting analysis. Discontinuity stress distribution due to shear forces and bending moments near the knuckle part of the vessel is obtained using thin shell theory. In calculating the burst pressure, lamina-by-lamina check allowing for progressive failure is carried out. Maximum stress criterion is used to distinguish the failure modes of each lamina. Thickness difference due to hoop-winding between cylinder and dome, matrix failure at low pressure and orthotropy of material make the end-effects negligible. Consequently it is confirmed that netting analysis is sufficient for the stress analysis of filament wound composite pressure vessel.
