On the modelling of different types of imperfections in silo shells

The assessment of imperfections is most important for determining the load-bearing capacity of a thin-walled shell structure. Different ways of modelling imperfections are discussed in this paper and steel silo shells are used as an application. Buckling tests were performed on different types of model shell - standard quality and high quality with reduced heat input during welding. For the numerical studies two different approaches were used as well: an axisymmetric approach with substitute geometric imperfections and an FEM approach, where the nodal coordinates were derived from surveying the specimen. It was found that there is considerable gain in the buckling strength due to the presence of the granular solid. The larger the initial imperfections in the shell the greater the gain in strength compared to the empty cylinder. The modelling of the uneveness of the edges with uneven dead loading is also discussed.