Benchmark three-dimensional elasticity solutions for the buckling of thick orthotropic cylindrical shells

Abstract

Abstract Benchmark solutions to the problem of buckling of orthotropic cylindrical shells, which are based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity, are presented in this review article. It is assumed that the shell is under external pressure or axial compression or a combination of these loadings. These solutions provide a means of accurately assessing the limitations of the various shell theories in predicting critical loads. A comparison with some classical shell theories shows that the classical shell theories may produce, in general, highly non-conservative results on the critical load of composite shells with thick construction. One noteworthy exception: the Timoshenko shell buckling equations produce conservative results under pure axial compression.