BUCKLING RESISTANCE OF UNSTIFFENED AND STIFFENED CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL SHELL STRUCTURES

Buckling modes in unstiffened and stiffened cylindrical shells are reviewed. Classical theories for buckling of unstiffened shells are discussed, and the effect of shape imperfections as observed in experiments and as predicted by postbuckling theory is described. Various loadcases are considered, and the behaviour under combined loading is also discussed. Design principles for the stiffening system of cylindrical shells are reviewed, and it is described how ring frames can be proportioned conservatively to ensure that general instability is preceded by interframe buckling. The analogy with stiffened cylindrical panels is pointed out.