Tangent modulus theory for cylindrical shells: Buckling under increasing load

Abstract

Analytical results are presented for axisymmetric plastic buckling of axially compressed cylindrical shells which is initiated under increasing load. The rate of load increase is determined by forcing the loading condition of the J2 incremental theory of plasticity to be satisfied everywhere in the shell. Results complement those found by using classical stability concepts. The analysis constitutes the formal generalization of tangent modulus theory for plastic column behavior to axially compressed cylindrical shells.