Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Thin Cylindrical Shell subjected to Axial Compression Loading

摘要

This paper illustrates the optimal method for calculation of buckling load in thin cylindrical shell. In addition to experimental setup, the various imperfections of geometrical structures of specimen is discussed and analyzed using coordinate measuring machine. Different types of finite element models depending upon their complexity are used for simulation in an attempt to have good results when compared with experimental buckling loads. Parameters such as measuring the effect of initial geometric irregularities, eccentricity of load, as well as measuring eccentric load along circumferential direction of shell and arrangement, often influenced boundary condition strategies. Effects of measuring the initial geometric imperfections and load eccentricity often revere the experimental buckling load prediction when demonstrated with simplified rigid support conditions. This work also illustrates the dependency of eccentric load position and imperfection in geometry on circumferential direction while buckling load is applied.