Buckling of cylindrical shells with measured settlement under axial compression

• Published in: Thin-walled structures 2018-02, Vol.123, p.351-359
• Main Authors: Chen, Zhiping, Fan, Haigui, Cheng, Jian, Jiao, Peng, Xu, Feng, Zheng, Chenchao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Axial buckling; Cylindrical shells; Geometrical nonlinearity; Measured settlement
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2017.11.006

Buckling behavior of cylindrical shells with measured settlement under axial compression has been researched and analyzed in this paper. Using the method of Fourier series expansion, the measured settlement data is transformed into differential settlement. Applying the finite element simulation method, the differential settlement is applied to bottom of the cylindrical shell in order to simulate behavior of the cylindrical shell under differential settlement. Based on the deformed cylindrical shell caused by settlement, the finite element simulation method is applied to research buckling behavior of the cylindrical shell under axial compression considering the geometric nonlinearity and large deformation. The meridional membrane stress distribution in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical shell under differential settlement is obtained and compared with the differential settlement distribution. Effects of liquid storage on buckling behavior of the cylindrical shell are researched by applying hydrostatic pressure to the inner surface. Parametric analysis is carried out to research the effects of diameter-thickness ratio and height-diameter ratio of the cylindrical shell on the axial buckling capability. Results show that the cylindrical shell will be subjected to deformation and meridional membrane stress because of the differential settlement and the critical axial buckling load will be decreased then. Liquid storage is helpful for the cylindrical shell to remain stable. The cylindrical shell with larger height-diameter ratio and smaller diameter-thickness ratio is more capable to resist buckling under axial compression following differential settlement. •Deformation behavior of cylindrical shell under measured settlement is researched.•Effects of measured settlement on axial buckling strength is analyzed.•Effects of stored liquid on the axial buckling with settlement is analyzed.•Effects of structure size on axial buckling is studied by parametric analysis.