The feasibility of a pressure vessel shape optimization is here investigated. An analytical procedure based on calculus of variations is used for the shape optimization of a naturally closed pressure vessel aiming at either minimizing the mass or maximizing the volume under structural integrity constraints. The obtained shapes are ellipsoids with variable thickness along the meridian. Such geometry is suitable to be manufactured by means of advanced processes such as additive techniques. A metallic technology demonstrator was successfully produced by using a 3D printing facility. Optical scanner measurements proved that the process was able to fulfil the required geometry with technically acceptable manufacturing tolerances. Finally, a Finite Element analysis was performed on the measured geometry, confirming that the stress distribution fits well with the theoretical expectations and fully satisfies the optimization constraints.

这里研究了压力容器形状优化的可行性。基于变化演算的分析程序用于自然封闭压力容器的形状优化，目的是在结构完整性约束下使质量最小化或使体积最大化。所获得的形状是沿子午线具有可变厚度的椭圆体。这样的几何形状适合于通过诸如加成技术之类的先进工艺来制造。通过使用3D打印设备成功生产了金属技术演示器。光学扫描仪的测量证明，该工艺能够以技术上可接受的制造公差满足所需的几何形状。最后，对测得的几何形状进行有限元分析，