Buckling analysis of the shell of a refuge chamber in a coal mine under uniform axial compression

A stiffened cylindrical shell is normally used in refuge chambers of a coal mine. Based on the method of application and shape characteristics of a refuge chamber, we simplified its shell as an orthotropic cylinder. The basic buckling equation of the stiffened cylindrical shell under uniform axial compression was deduced by using a Donnell function. The factors affecting its buckling capacity were studied by theoretical analysis and numerical calculations. The results reveal that the torsional rigidity of the longitudinal stiffener had little effect on the buckling capacity of the shell and that the critical load of an externally stiffened cylindrical shell is higher than that of an internally stiffened cylindrical shell. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B. V. on behalf of China University of Mining & Technology.