Stability analysis of shells of revolution under pressure conditions

Abstract

The subject of the present paper is shells of revolution subjected to the external pressure. A family of shells of revolution, with positive and negative Gaussian curvature, were taken into consideration. The volume V s and length L of the shell were constant. Three different r c / t ratios were investigated: 300, 504 and 700. The goal is to investigate elastic stability of shells of revolution. For that reason two kinds of analyses were performed using ABAQUS system. These are linear eigenvalue buckling prediction and non-linear post-buckling analysis. As a result of the linear analysis the influence of a meridional radius of curvature on the critical load was determined and presented on the graph. Non-linear analysis allowed to create equilibrium paths showing the behaviour of shells in a post-critical state. As can be seen from a number of plots convex barrelled shells are not stable after exceeding the critical load. Some concave barrelled shells on the contrary have stable equilibrium paths in the post-critical range.