Dynamic Stability of Axially-Stiffened Imperfect Cylindrical Shells under Axial Step Loading

The dynamic stability of an axially-stiffened cylinder under an axial impulsive load in the form of a step function is investigated. Donnell-Karman-type nonlinear equations are derived for the initially imperfect stiffened cylinders including eccentricity of stiffeners. A buckling criterion is defined and buckling loads are computed for different imperfection parameters and positive and negative eccentricities for a cylinder with an axial stiffening system. The results indicate the high imperfection sensitivity of axially-stiffened cylinders.