Nonlinear analysis of stability for functionally graded cylindrical panels under axial compression

This report presents an analytical approach to investigate the stability of functionally graded cylindrical panels under axial compression. Equilibrium and compatibility equations for functionally graded panels are derived by using the classical shell theory taking into account both geometrical nonlinearity in von Karman-Donnell sense and initial geometrical imperfection. The resulting equations are solved by Galerkin procedure to obtain explicit expressions of buckling loads and postbuckling load-deflection curves. Stability analysis for a simply supported functionally graded cylindrical panel shows the effects of material and geometric parameters as well as imperfection on buckling and postbuckling behaviors of the panel. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.