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H. Schmidt and Th.A. Winterstetter

xRu

fy 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 Yield limit curve 0.2 0.4

Wall thickness varied

r/t = 50 r/t = 100

Ru

0.6

0.8

r/t = 200 r/t = 500

Figure 10.10 Theoretical buckling interaction curves of imperfect cylinders according to nonlinear analysis (GMNIA): axial compression and torsion. Geometry: l/r = 1.0. Material: E = 210,000 N/mm2 , fy = 240 N/mm2 , = 0.3. Imperfection pattern: Eigenmode for pure torsion. Imperfection amplitude: w0 = 1.5 t.

In summary, a GMNIA analysis yields interaction curves which, though including effects of biaxial stress states, are not as convex as when calculated using GMNA. This is a consequence of the assumed equivalent geometric imperfections. Experimental results Evaluation of shell buckling tests Many shell buckling tests have been carried out to determine the behaviour of cylindrical shells under combined loading experimentally, see for discussion the overviews given by Babcock (1974) and Singer (1964). A literature study has been performed to evaluate all published load interaction buckling test data known to the authors. Over 2200 individual buckling experiment results have been collected. The data base is very heterogeneous, containing test results on small-scale models made of plastic as well as large welded steel cylinders. Unfortunately, often information is missing concerning material properties or boundary conditions, so some data could only be related approximately to yield limit (as is obvious in the case of