Experimental analysis of the effect of dent variation on the buckling capacity of thin-walled cylindrical shells

• Published in: Thin-walled structures 2019-10, Vol.143, p.106259, Article 106259
• Main Authors: Aydın Korucuk, Fatma Merve, Maali, Mahyar, Kılıç, Mahmut, Aydın, Abdulkadir Cüneyt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CFRP strips; Cylindrical shell; Hydrostatic pressure; Longitudinal dent number; Theoretical and experimental
• ISSN: 0263-8231; 1879-3223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tws.2019.106259

Tanks, silos, and most large steel-shell structures consist of smaller pieces connected together during the manufacturing process. This causes several types of malformations on the shell walls. Furthermore, thin-walled members can be easily deformed in wall surfaces owing to the thickness of the structure. Fourteen thin-walled cylindrical shell specimens in two groups with different dent depths and various longitudinal dent numbers subject to hydrostatic pressure were tested in the present work. The models were designed to demonstrate how repairing dents by using carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer can recover lost capacity. The results of testing under different theories and codes were compared. This study shows the decreasing effects of the longitudinal dent number on the buckling capacity of the shells. Using carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer strips resulted in softening or stiffening behaviour in the models. Furthermore, to obtain the initial and overall buckling according to theoretical formulas, coefficients were predicted to obtain the initial, overall, and collapse buckling without an experiment for the models that were beyond the scope of the theories. •The dent parameters are the most striking factors in the buckling loads.•Coefficients were presented to predict the initial and overall buckling loads of dented thin-walled shells.•The use of CFRP at the dent sites can have a significant effect on the initial buckling load.•The edges of the models buckled in a V shape.