Energy barrier method for estimation of design buckling load of axially compressed elasto-plastic cylindrical shells

Energy barrier as a measure of metastability of axially compressed cylindrical shell is developed in the case of elasto-plastic material of the structure. The concept of local shell buckling is used for estimation of design buckling load. It does not require measuring initial geometrical shell imperfections which is challenging or sometimes impossible in the case of large scale real structures. Parametric analysis of the structure is performed and corresponding formula is derived for design buckling load which splits up the zone of high sensitivity of the shell to imperfections. The obtained formula is compared with published experimental results and Eurocode EN 1993-1-6 (2007) recommendations.

Automated summary

In this study, an energy barrier based measure of metastability for axially compressed cylindrical shells made of elasto-plastic material is developed. The concept of local shell buckling is used to estimate design buckling load, eliminating the need to measure initial geometric imperfections in large scale structures. Parametric analysis is performed to derive a formula for design buckling load which identifies the zone of high sensitivity of the shell to imperfections. The formula obtained is compared with experimental results and Eurocode EN 1993-1-6 (2007) recommendations.