Stresses around large circular holes in uniform circular cylindrical shells

Abstract

An experimental and finite element analysis of a uniform cylindrical shell with a large circular cut-out is presented. In this analysis three hole sizes are considered, namely μ = 2.037, 4.084, and 6.344 (where μ = {[12(1 - y2)]1/4/2} × [ a/( Rt)1/2]), for loadings of axial compression, torsion and three point bending. The experimental results are the only ones available for cylindrical shells with large values of μ (except for one graph by Savin (1)†), while for three point bending there is no previously published theoretical or analytical results. Good agreement is found between the calculated and experimental stresses around the holes.