Numerical and experimental investigation on ultimate strength of cracked cylindrical shells subjected to combined loading

Abstract

In this paper, experimental and numerical buck-ling analysis of steel cylindrical shells of various lengths and diameters with crack have been studied using the finite element method and the effect of crack position, crack ori-entation and the crack length-to-cylindrical shell perimeter (λ = a/2 π r) and shell length-to-diameter (L/D) ratios on the buckling and post-buckling behavior of cylindrical shells have been investigated. For several specimens, buck-ling test was performed using an INSTRON 8802 servo hydraulic machine and the results of experimental tests were compared to numerical results. A very good correla-tion was observed between numerical simulation and ex-perimental results.