Thin pressure vessels experience two main stresses: hoop or circumferential stress, which resists bursting from internal pressure, and longitudinal stress from changes in vessel length or volume. Hoop stress in a thin cylinder can be calculated by considering the equilibrium of half the cylinder, where the total force from internal pressure equals the total resisting force from the hoop stress in the cylinder walls. Longitudinal stress is caused by any change in the vessel's length or volume when under pressure.