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H. Schmidt and Th.A. Winterstetter

we obtain a buckling curve in 2-D representing a cross section through the 3-D buckling surface. Our object is to determine the shape of the curves and of the whole buckling surface and to check, by comparison, the proper description in existing design rules. Eventually the need for more correct descriptions will be stated. Firstly, theoretical results are presented for several calculation levels with successively growing accuracy. Thereafter, interactive shell buckling experiments published over the past ve decades are re-examined. Finally, existing code design rules are presented and discussed.

Theoretical results Linear analysis (LA) A comprehensive set of FE linear eigenvalue calculations has been performed to study the inuence of the relevant parameters shell dimension ratios (r/t, l/r) and boundary conditions on the shape of the interaction curves. Some results are shown in Fig. 10.5. The following effects can be noted: The interaction between axial compression and external pressure for the practically very important case S3 (simply supported) is nearly linear. Circumferential tensile stresses do not raise the axial compression buckling strength. These results are in good agreement with the analytical linear eigenvalue calculations based on Flgges (1973) shell theory. The interaction between axial compression and torsion for the case S3 is nearly linear, too. This agrees well with the results presented by Kromm (1942) and Batdorf et al. (1947). The parabolic shape of the interaction curve for external pressure and torsion conrms the results given by Ho and Cheng (1963) or Simitses (1967). Different boundary conditions do affect the shape of the interaction curves. As stated above, the axial restraint leads to considerable buckling strength gains in the case of external pressure, but not in the case of axial compression. Therefore, the shape of the axial compression external pressure buckling interaction curve for an axially restrained shell is more convex than the shape for an axially free cylinder. The shapes of the interaction curves for axial compression and torsion and for externral pressure and torsion differ much less. Internal pressure does not affect the axial compression buckling strength, but raises the torsional buckling strength considerably; axial tension raises the external pressure and torsional buckling loads, too.

Other calculations with varying shell geometric ratios r/t and l/r show that the shapes of the interaction curves depend hardly on the shell dimensions. The results stated above are valid at least for the whole range of medium-length cylinders.