Dynamic local and global buckling of cylindrical shells under axial impact

In this paper, the local and global buckling of cylindrical shells under axial, compressive impact loads is studied. A Hamiltonian system is introduced in the problem. The fundamental problem in the system can be described mathematically by the Hamiltonian dual equations, which are expressed in four pairs of dual variables. The problem is reduced to a problem of eigenvalues and eigensolutions for critical loads and buckling modes, respectively. The buckling modes can be described by their respective orders and they are grouped into two classes, the short-wave or local buckling and the long-wave or global buckling. The solutions are obtained analytically and numerically, and some rules observed are indicated. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.