Buckling and postbuckling behaviour of cylindrical shells under combined external pressure and axial compression

Buckling and postbuckling behaviour of perfect and imperfect cylindrical shells of finite length subject to combined loading of external pressure and axial compression are considered. Based on the boundary layer theory which includes the edge effect in the buckling of shells, a theoretical analysis for the buckling and postbuckling of circular cylindrical shells under combined loading is presented using a singular perturbation technique. Some interaction curves for perfect and imperfect cylindrical shells are given. The analytical results obtained are compared with some experimental data in detail, and it is shown that both agree well. The effects of initial imperfection on the interactive buckling load and postbuckling behaviour of cylindrical shells have also been discussed.     

Buckling and postbuckling behaviors of imperfect cylindrical shells subjected to torsion

Buckling and postbuckling behaviors of imperfect cylindrical shell subjected to torsion are investigated. The governing equations are based on the Karman–Donnell-type nonlinear differential equations. A boundary layer theory of shell buckling is applied to obtain the analytic solutions that meet the boundary conditions strictly. A singular perturbation technique is employed to determine the buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. Numerical results reveal that the current theory gives quite good estimates of the postbuckling paths of cylindrical shells. The effects of the geometric parameters on the buckling and postbuckling behaviors of the cylindrical shells are analyzed. It is confirmed that the postbuckling equilibrium paths of cylindrical shells subjected to torsion are unstable and the relatively shorter shells have higher postbuckling equilibrium paths. Finally, the effects of the initial imperfections on the buckling and postbuckling behaviors of the cylindrical shells are clarified. The illustrated results of the imperfect shells with different initial transverse deflections show that extremely small imperfections do indeed reduce the buckling loads and make the postbuckling equilibrium paths be lower. The buckling and postbuckling of cylindrical shells under torsion exhibit obvious imperfect sensitivity. Furthermore, the effects become greater following with the larger imperfections.     

Buckling of cylindrical shells with longitudinal joints under external pressure

In this article, the bucking of cylindrical shells with longitudinal joint has been investigated through the experimental and numerical analysis. It was clarified that the buckling behavior of cylindrical shells with longitudinal joints under lateral external pressure is not only related to its dimension, but also longitudinal joint and an imperfection. The buckling of cylindrical shells with rigid joint buckles only once and in multi-lobe buckling, whereas one with flexible joints buckles twice and firstly in single-lobe buckling in the vicinity of the joint, secondly in multi-lobe buckling in remaining un-deformed area. And the more flexible the longitudinal joint, the lower the critical pressure, with respect to the same dimension of jointed cylindrical shells and imperfection condition. Moreover the numerical analysis approaches were also presented and verified, by which the imperfection can greatly enlarge the effect of joint on buckling has been demonstrated.     

Buckling of cylindrical shells with stepwise variable wall thickness under uniform external pressure

Cylindrical shells of stepwise variable wall thickness are widely used for cylindrical containment structures, such as vertical-axis tanks and silos. The thickness is changed because the stress resultants are much larger at lower levels. The increase of internal pressure and axial compression in the shell is addressed by increasing the wall thickness. Each shell is built up from a number of individual strakes of constant thickness. The thickness of the wall increases progressively from top to bottom.Whilst the buckling behaviour of a uniform thickness cylinder under external pressure is well defined, that of a stepped wall cylinder is difficult to determine. In the European standard EN 1993-1-6 (2007) and Recommendations ECCS EDR5 (2008), stepped wall cylinders under circumferential compression are transformed, first into a three-stage cylinder and thence into an equivalent uniform thickness cylinder. This two-stage process leads to a complicated calculation that depends on a chart that requires interpolation and is not easy to use, where the mechanics is somewhat hidden, which cannot be programmed into a spreadsheet leading to difficulties in the practical design of silos and tanks.This paper introduces a new “weighted smeared wall method”, which is proposed as a simpler method to deal with stepped-wall cylinders of short or medium length with any thickness variation. Buckling predictions are made for a wide range of geometries of silos and tanks (unanchored and anchored) using the new hand calculation method and compared both with accurate predictions from finite element calculations using ABAQUS and with the current Eurocode rules. The comparison shows that the weighted smeared wall method provides a close approximation to the external buckling strength of stepped wall cylinders for a wide range of short and medium-length shells, is easily programmed into a spreadsheet and is informative to the designer.     

Buckling of circular cylindrical shells partially subjected to external liquid pressure

Theoretical analyses are presented for the buckling of circular cylindrical shells partially subjected to external liquid pressure. The shells are assumed to stand vertically with the lower end clamped, and the upper end clamped or free. In the analyses, the Donnell equations are used for the basic equation, and prebuckling deformation as well as the membrane state of stress of the shell are taken into account. The Galerkin method is used, and the critical pressures at various liquid heights as well as the wave numbers, are obtained for a wide range of the geometrical parameters of the shell Z. A convenient chart which indicates the buckling liquid height for a given shell and liquid are presented. Experimental studies are also conducted by using test cylinders made of polyester film, and water. The theoretical and experimental results for the buckling liquid height, are in excellent agreement.     

Buckling of thin-walled conical shells under uniform external pressure

Shells are for the most part the deep-seated structures in manufacturing submarines, missiles, tanks and their roofs, and fluid reservoirs; therefore it is a matter of concern to bring about some basic regulations associated with the existing codes. Above all, truncated conical shells (frusta) and shallow conical caps (SCC) subjected to external uniform pressure when discharging liquids or wind loads are discussed closely in this paper concerning and thrashing out their empirical nonlinear responses along with envisaging numerical methods in contrast. The buckling aptitude of shells is contingent upon two leading geometric ratios of “slant-length to radius” (L/R) and “radius to thickness” (R/t). In this paper, developing six frusta and four shallow cap specimens and their relevant FE models, use is made of laboratory modus operandi to enumerate buckling elastic and plastic responses and asymmetric imperfection sensitivity, whose adequacy has been reckoned through comparisons with arithmetical and numerical data correspondingly. These obtained upshots were aimed at validating and generalizing the data for unstiffened truncated cones and SCC in full scale.     

Postbuckling analysis of circular cylindrical shells under external pressure

The postbuckling behavior of circular cylindrical shells of finite length under uniform external pressure is analysed using the spline finite strip method. A Total Lagrangian formulation on the displacement dependent pressure load in the orthogonal curvilinear reference frame is derived. An improvement for the arc-length iteration method is presented. The postbuckling equilibrium path and the contour map of equal radial deflection computed are in good agreement with the experimental and analytical results reported in Esslinger, M. and Geier, B., Postbuckling Behaviour of Structures, Springer-Verlag, Wien, New York, 1975.     

Creep buckling of cylindrical shells under external lateral pressure

In this paper, the authors present the results of an analysis of creep buckling of cylindrical shells under external lateral pressure. The nature of the material, the dimensions of the specimens and the type of boundary permit an elastic analysis of this phenomenon. The results of tests and calculations show on the one hand that this phenomenon is very sensitive to the presence of initial geometric imperfections; and on the other hand that it is possible to establish a monograph giving the critical time of an electroplated nickel shell as a function of its initial imperfections and of the nominal applied load. In this manner, the same reasoning can be applied to other shells made up of other materials that are sensitive to creep (resins, concretes, wood, metals at high temperatures, etc.).     

Buckling of thin-walled orthotropic cylindrical shells under uniform external pressure.: Application to corrugated tin cans

The general instability of thin-walled orthotropic circular cylindrical shells under external pressure is investigated. The buckling pressure can be predicted with the use of simple analytical formulae derived from an asymptotic analysis of the corresponding eigenvalue problems. The results predicted by these formulae are compared with finite element solutions and the four types of experimental models investigated by Ross (Thin Walled Structures 1996;26(3):179–93). The comparison proved to be accurate enough for practical purpose except for experimental model 1.     

Buckling of cylindrical shells under transverse shear

This work concerns with experimental studies on buckling of thin-walled circular cylindrical shells under transverse shear. The buckling loads are also obtained from finite element models, empirical formulae and codes and are compared. Experiments are conducted on 12 models made of stainless steel by rolling and longitudinal seam welding. In situ initial geometric imperfection surveys are carried out. The tests are conducted with and without axial constraint at the point diametrically opposite the loading. Theoretical analyses are carried out using ABAQUS finite element code. Two finite element models considered are: (i) geometry with real imperfection (FES-I) and (ii) critical mode imperfect geometry (FES-II). In the former, the imperfections are imposed at all nodes and in the latter, the imperfection is imposed by renormalizing the eigen mode, using the maximum measured imperfection. General nonlinear option is employed in both the cases for estimating the buckling load. Galletly and Blachut’s expressions, design guidelines of Japan for LMFBR main vessel expressions (empirical formulae), ASME and aerospace structural design codes are used for comparing with experimental loads.The comparisons of experimental, numerical and analytical buckling loads reveal the following. The numerical results are always higher than the experimental values; the percentage difference depends on the wall thickness. FES-II predicts somewhat a lower load than that of the FES-I. The Japanese guidelines predict the lowest load, which is conservative. Experimental loads are lower than that predicted by both ASME and aerospace structural design codes.     

Buckling of cracked cylindrical thin shells under combined internal pressure and axial compression

Linear eigenvalue analysis of cracked cylindrical shells under combined internal pressure and axial compression is carried out to study the effect of crack type, size and orientation on the buckling behavior of cylindrical thin shells. Two types of crack are considered; through crack and thumbnail crack. Our calculations indicate that depending on the crack type, length, orientation and the internal pressure, local buckling may precede the global buckling of the cylindrical shell. The internal pressure, in general, increases the buckling load associated with the global buckling mode of the cylindrical shells. In contrast, the effect of internal pressure on buckling loads associated with the local buckling modes of the cylindrical shell depends mainly on the crack orientation. For cylindrical shells with relatively long axial crack, buckling loads associated with local buckling modes of the cylindrical shell reduce drastically on increasing the shell internal pressure. In contrast, the internal pressure has the stabilizing effect against the local buckling for circumferentially cracked cylindrical shells. A critical crack length for each crack orientation and loading condition is defined as the shortest crack causing the local buckling to precede the global buckling of the cylindrical shell. Some insight into the effect of internal pressure on this critical crack length is provided.     

Buckling and postbuckling investigations of imperfect curved stringer-stiffened composite shells. Part B: Computational investigations

Computational investigations of the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of a stringer-stiffened composite wing torsion box employing the finite element method are presented. Perfect and imperfect configurations — considering geometrical imperfections as well as initial stresses - are discussed. Two different loadcases are investigated: pure axial loading and axial loading with a superimposed constant torsion moment. The buckling behaviour is determined by tracing the load-deflection curves using Riks' path following method. Additional investigations, such as accompanying eigenvalue analyses and first-ply failure calculations, are performed for the first loadcase. Special attention is put on the modelling of the stiffened regions, where eccentrically placed layers have to be taken into account due to the bonding of the stiffeners to the inner surface of the box. The results show interesting phenomena, such as additional buckling points in the postbuckling region, which, however, can hardly be detected by simply considering the load-axial displacement path.     

Buckling and postbuckling of cylindrical shells with one end pinned and the other end free

Using finite element analysis, this paper examines the linear bifurcation buckling loads, and nonlinear collapse loads, of cylindrical shells with one end pinned and the other end free, under a variety of axial and pressure load combinations. The pinned end is formulated so as to provide no axial restraint. For the bifurcation analysis, loads are related back to the classical solutions for cylinder buckling loads, to explain the very low values found for this set of boundary conditions.The nonlinear analysis includes both imperfections and material plasticity. In this analysis, it is found that cylindrical shells with pinned-free boundary conditions are notably imperfection insensitive, and for a range of geometries are able to reach collapse loads significantly greater than their bifurcation load. For other geometries, collapse loads very close to the bifurcation load are found. This unusual imperfection insensitivity for a cylindrical shell is explained in terms of the large flexibility engendered by the pinned-free boundary conditions and the oval buckling mode.     

Reduced stiffness buckling of sandwich cylindrical shells under uniform external pressure

A reduced stiffness lower bound method for the buckling of laterally pressure loaded sandwich cylindrical shell is proposed. Also, an attempt is made to assess the validity of the proposed reduced stiffness lower bound with FEM numerical examples. In addition, the proposed method is compared with classical and Plantema's approaches of the buckling of the laterally pressure loaded sandwich cylindrical shell. Comparison of the proposed reduced stiffness lower bound with that obtained from non-linear FEM analysis verifies that it indeed provides a safe lower bound to the buckling of laterally pressure loaded sandwich cylindrical shells. The attractive feature of the proposed reduced stiffness method is that it can be readily used in designing laterally pressure loaded sandwich cylindrical shells without being concerned about geometrical imperfections.     

Postbuckling analysis of cylindrical shells under combined external liquid pressure and axial compression

A postbuckling analysis is presented for a circular cylindrical shell of finite length which is subjected to combined loading of external liquid pressure and axial compression. The formulations are based on a boundary layer theory which includes effects of the nonlinear prebuckling deformation, the nonlinear large deflection in the postbuckling range and the initial geometrical imperfection of shells. The analysis uses a singular perturbation technique to determine interactive buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. Numerical examples are presented that relate to the performances of perfect and imperfect cylindrical shells. Typical results are presented in dimensionless graphical form.     

Postbuckling analysis of stiffened cylindrical shells under combined external pressure and axial compression

A new approach is extended to investigate the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of perfect and imperfect, stringer and ring stiffened cylindrical shells of finite length subject to combined loading of external pressure and axial compression. The formulations are based on a boundary layer theory which includes the edge effect in the postbuckling analysis of a thin shell. The analysis uses a singular perturbation technique to determine the buckling loads and the postbuckling equilibrium paths. Some interaction curves for perfect and imperfect stiffened cylindrical shells are given and compared well with experimental data. The effects of initial imperfection on the interactive buckling load and postbuckling behaviour of stiffened cylindrical shells have also been discussed.     

Buckling of intermediate ring supported cylindrical shells under axial compression

This paper is concerned with the elastic buckling of axially compressed, circular cylindrical shells with intermediate ring supports. The simple Timoshenko thin shell theory and the more sophisticated Flügge thin shell theory have been adopted in the modeling of the cylindrical shells. We used these two representative theories to examine the sensitivity of the buckling solutions to the different degree of approximations made in shell theories. By dividing the shell into segments at the locations of the ring supports, the state-space technique is employed to derive the solutions for each shell segment and the domain decomposition method utilized to impose the equilibrium and compatibility conditions at the interfaces of the shell segments. First-known exact buckling factors are obtained for cylindrical shells of one and multiple intermediate ring supports and various combinations of boundary conditions. Comparison studies are carried out against benchmark solutions and independent numerical results from ANSYS and p-Ritz analyses. The influence of the locations of the ring supports on the buckling behaviour of the shells is examined.     

Buckling of super ellipsoidal shells under uniform pressure

This paper is concerned with the elastic buckling of super ellipsoidal shells under external uniform pressure. The middle surface of a super ellipsoidal shell is defined by the following equation: (x/a)²ⁿ+(y/b)²ⁿ+(z/c)²ⁿ=1, where n is an integer varying from unity to infinity. It is clear from the equation that the range of shell shapes covered sphere (n=1, a=b=c) to cube () and ellipsoid (n=1) to cuboid (n=∞). By adopting a recently proposed solid shell element for the buckling analysis, the critical buckling pressures of thin to thick super ellipsoidal shells are obtained and tabulated for engineers. The shell element allows for the effect of transverse shear deformation which becomes significant in thick shells. Their buckling shapes are also examined. In addition, a simple approximate formula for predicting the critical buckling pressure of thick spherical shells is proposed.     

Buckling of super ellipsoidal shells under uniform pressure

This article is concerned with the elastic buckling of super ellipsoidal shells under external uniform pressure. The middle surface of a super ellipsoidal shell is defined by the following equation: (x/a)²ⁿ +(y/b)²ⁿ + (z/c)²ⁿ  = 1 where n is an integer varying from unity to infinity. It is clear from the equation that the range of shell shapes covered sphere (n = 1, a = b = c) to cube (n = ∞, a = b = c) and ellipsoid (n = 1) to cuboid (n = ∞). By adopting a recently proposed solid shell element for the buckling analysis, the critical buckling pressures of thin to thick super ellipsoidal shells are obtained and tabulated for engineers. The shell element allows for the effect of transverse shear deformation, which becomes significant in thick shells. Their buckling shapes are also examined. In addition, a simple approximate formula for predicting the critical buckling pressure of thick spherical shells is proposed.