Buckling Strength of Cylindrical Shell Subjected to Axial Loads

This paper presents buckling analysis of the cylindrical shell subjected to axial loads using numerical method. The modeling method, appropriate element type, and number of element are recommended by comparing with analytical solution. Based on the parametric study, buckling stress decreases significantly as the diameter-thickness ratio increases. These results are different from those obtained from buckling analysis of columns. The number of buckling half-wave in circumferential direction decreases as the diameter-height ratio increases. Buckling stress increases 1~2% as the thickness of base plate increases. Therefore the effect of base plate on buckling strength for cylindrical shell can be disregarded. Buckling stress significantly decreases as the amplitude of initial geometric imperfection used for calculating buckling stress is developed and it shows a good agreement with numerical results.