ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY  FACULTY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF CIRCULAR CYLINDER

SHELLS UNDER AXIAL COMPRESSION LOADING

GRADUATION PROJECT

Cansu ÖZGEN

Department of Astronautical Engineering

Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Vedat Ziya DOĞAN

JANUARY, 2018
ISTANBUL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY  FACULTY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF CIRCULAR CYLINDER

SHELLS UNDER AXIAL COMPRESSION LOADING

GRADUATION PROJECT

Cansu ÖZGEN
110150706

Department of Astronautical Engineering

Thesis Advisor: Prof. Dr. Vedat Ziya DOĞAN

JANUARY
 Cansu Özgen,student of ITU Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics student ID
110150706, successfully defended the graduation entitled “BUCKLING
ANALYSIS OF CIRCULAR CYLINDER SHELLS UNDER AXIAL
COMPRESSION LOADING”, which she prepared after fulfilling the requirements
specified in the associated legislations, before the jury whose signatures are below.

Thesis Advisor : Prof. Dr. Vedat Ziya DOĞAN ..............................

İstanbul Technical University

Jury Members : Prof. Dr. Vedat Ziya DOĞAN .............................

İstanbul Technical University

Yrd. Doç. Dr. Özge ÖZDEMİR ..............................

İstanbul Technical University

Prof. Dr. Zahit MECİTOĞLU ..............................

İstanbul Technical University

Date of Submission : 03 January 2017

Date of Defense : 17 January 2017

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 To my family,

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FOREWORD
I would like to extend my thanks to thesis advisor Prof. Dr. Vedat Ziya Doğan who
guide in all step of the preperation of the thesis with his valuable oppinions.
I would like to thanks to my family for their great supports throughout my education
life.
In Addtition, I pay my respect to all the academicians who contribute to being an
engineer.

January 2018 Cansu ÖZGEN

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... ix

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................... xi
SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ xvii
ÖZET........................................................................................................................ xix
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Purpose of Thesis ............................................................................................... 3
1.2 Literature Review ............................................................................................... 3
2. BUCKLING OF THE SHELL STRUCTURE .................................................... 5
2.1 Fundamental Definations ................................................................................... 5
2.1.1 Stability ....................................................................................................... 5
2.1.2 Instability .................................................................................................... 5
2.1.3 Buckling load .............................................................................................. 6
2.1.4 Bifurcation .................................................................................................. 7
2.1.5 Bifurcation Equation ................................................................................... 7
2.1.6 Buckling mode ............................................................................................ 7
2.2 Elastic Stability Theory ...................................................................................... 8
2.2.1 Energy Method ............................................................................................ 8
2.2.2 Linear Theory of Cylindrical Shells- Donnell Equation ........................... 10
2.3 Formulation of Buckling Stress and Buckling Mode for Cylindrical Shell
Under Axial Compression ...................................................................................... 15
2.3.1 Buckling coefficient and Batdorf parameter ............................................. 17
2.4 Example Cylinder ............................................................................................. 19
3. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD .......................................................................... 21
3.1 General Information ......................................................................................... 21
3.2 Formulation for Finite Element Method for Linear Buckling Analysis ........... 21
3.3 ABAQUS Analysis .......................................................................................... 23
3.3.1 Analysis Procedure ................................................................................... 23
3.3.2 Loads ......................................................................................................... 23
3.3.3 Boundary Conditions ................................................................................ 24
3.3.4 Constraints ................................................................................................ 24
3.3.5 Mesh .......................................................................................................... 24
3.3.5.1 Mesh Density ......................................................................................... 24
3.3.5.2 Element Type ......................................................................................... 25
3.3.6 Effect of the ring and stringer ................................................................... 27
3.3.7 Effect of internal pressure ......................................................................... 29
3.3.8 Effect of the length of the cylinders .......................................................... 30
3.3.9 Effect of thicknesss of the cylinders ......................................................... 32
3.3.10 Verification ............................................................................................. 33
3.3.11 Inertia relief ............................................................................................. 35
3.3.12 Buckling of composite structure ............................................................. 36
4. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY................................................................................. 41
4.1 Test Specimens ................................................................................................. 41
4.2 Test Equipments ............................................................................................... 42
4.2.1 Testing machine ........................................................................................ 42
4.2.2 Computer program .................................................................................... 42
4.2.3 Angle measurement device ....................................................................... 42
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 4.3 Test procedure .................................................................................................. 43
4.4 Test results ........................................................................................................ 43
4.5 FEM results ...................................................................................................... 46
4.6 Comparison of FEM results and experimental data ......................................... 47
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ................................................. 49
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 51
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................ 54
APPENDIX B ......................................................................................................... 56

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ABBREVIATIONS

B : Axial Rigitidy
D : Bending Rigitidy
E : Modulus Of Elasticity
FEM : Finite Element Method
MCP : Multi Point Constrain
m : Mode Number İn Longitudial Direction
n : Mode Number İn Circumferential Direction
K : Slenderness
𝒌𝒄 : Buckling Coefficient
l : Length
P : Applied Distributed Load
r : Radius
U : Total Energy
𝑼𝒎 : Membrane Strain Energy
𝑼𝒃 : Bending Strain Energy
∆𝑼 : Change İn Strain Energy
∆𝑻 : Work Done
u : Axial Displacement
v : Circumferential Displacement
w : Radial Displacement
X : Dimensionless Parameter
Z : Batdorf Parameter
α : Capacity Reduction Factor
𝜺𝟏 : Axial Strain
𝜺𝟐 : Circumferential Strain
𝜺𝟑 : Radial Strain
𝜿𝟏 : Curvature İn Axial Direction
𝜿𝟐 : Curvature İn Circumferential Direction
𝒎̅ : Dimensionless Buckling Number
λ : Eigenvalue
𝝀𝒄𝒓 : Lowest Eigenvalue
𝝁 : Possions’ Ratio
η : Plastic Reduction Factor
𝜸 :
𝝈𝒄𝒓 : Critical Buckling Stress
𝑵𝒄𝒓 : Critical Buckling Load
[𝑲] : Global Stiffness Matris
{𝑫} : Displacement
{𝑫}𝒓𝒆𝒇 : Reference Displacement
{𝑹} : External Load
{𝑹}𝒓𝒆𝒇 : Reference External Load
[𝑲𝝈 ]𝒓𝒆𝒇 : Reference Stress Stiffness Matrix
[𝑲𝝈 ] : Stress Stiffness Matrix
{𝜹𝑫} : Eigenvector

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LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 3.1: Effect of element size………………………………………..…………...24

Table 3.2: Effect of length on critical buckling load……………………...…………32
Table 3.3: Effect of thickness on the critical buckling load………………………….32
Table 3.4: Stacking sequence and critical load with same thickness…………..……36
Table 3.5: Stacking sequence and critical load with same mass……………………..38
Table 3.6: Comparision of the critical loads for same mass and same thickness….....38
Table 4.1: Material properties of the can…………………………………….……...42
Table 4.2: Geometric properties of the test specimens………………..…………….42
Table 4.3: Measured critical load………………..…………………………………..46
Table A.1: Eigenvalues corresponding to eigenmodes………..…………………….55

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LIST OF FIGURES
Page

Figure 1.1 : Locally buckled glinder’s wing (Bushnell & B. Bushnell, n.d)...…..…2
Figure 2.1 : Ball in the valley (Jones, 2006)………………………………….…….5
Figure 2.2 : Ball on the valley (Jones, 2006)………………………………….....…5
Figure 2.3 : Ball in a possibly precarious position (Jones, 2006)……………….….6
Figure 2.4 : Buckling into a non-adjacent stable equilibium state (Jones, 2006)…..6
Figure 2.5 : Buckling mode...................................................................................…8
Figure 2.6 : Displacement components (Donnell,1933)……...……………...……11
Figure 2.7 : The infinitesimal shell element (Donnell,1933)………………...…....12
Figure 2.8 : Schematic view of the displacements………...………………...…….15
Figure 2.9 : Represantative circular cylindrical shells corresponding to the same
value of z (Jones, 2006)…………..……………………...……….…..18
Figure 2.10: Buckling coefficient for simply supported ısontropic circular
cylinders subjected to axial compression (Nasa, 1968)…………..….19
Figure 2.11: Example circular cylindrical shell…………………...…………….....20
Figure 3.1 : Effect of mesh density…………………..………………………........25
Figure 3.2 : Shell element………………………………………..……………..…26
Figure 3.3 : The buckling shape of the thin cylinder with S4R element……....…..26
Figure 3.4 : The buckling shape of the thin cylinder with S8R element……....….27
Figure 3.5 : Stringer stiffened cylinder……………..…………………………......28
Figure 3.6 : Ring stiffened cylinder………………...…………………………......28
Figure 3.7 : Buckling of cylinder subjected to inner pressure and axial compression
(a) 1 MPa (b) 3MPa (c) 5MPa (d) 8MPa (e) 10MPa…………………30
Figure 3.8 : Change in critical load with the internal pressure………………........30
Figure 3.9 : Effect of the length (a) L=10 mm (b) L=100 mm (c) L=10000 mm…31
Figure 3.10: Effect of the thickness…………..………………………………........33
Figure 3.11:Comparson of buckling shape(a)from the study(b)made for this study33
Figure 3.12: Verification of the composite buckling…..…………………………..34
Figure 3.13: Buckling shape with inertia relief load………...…………………….35
Figure 3.14: The thrust direction……………...…………………………………...35
Figure 3.15:First mode shape of composite cylinder buckling for different angle
(a)0/90/0/90/0(b)45/90/0/90/45(c)45/-45/0/-45/45(d)60/-60/0/-60/60..37
Figure 4.1 : Test setup…......…………………………………………………..…..41
Figure 4.2 : Angle Measurement Device…………………………………….…....43
Figure 4.3 : Buckling shape of the specimens (a)250-1 (b)250-2 (c)250-3 (d)250-4
(e)250-5..…………………………………………………….............46
Figure 4.4 : Numeric buckling shape with force offset……………………………47
Figure A.1 : Buckling shapes:(a)1steigenmode (b)2ndeigenmode (c)3rdeigenmode
(d) 4theigenmode....................................................................................54
Figure B.1 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-1…………………………………..56
Figure B.2 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-2…………………………..……....56
Figure B.3 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-3…………………………………..57
Figure B.4 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-4………………...……………...…57
Figure B.5 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-5………………..……………...….58
Figure B.6 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-6………………..……………...….58
Figure B.7 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-7………………..……………...….59
Figure B.8 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-8……………..………………...….59
Figure B.9 : Load Displacement Curve of 250-9……………………………….….60

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BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF CIRCULAR CYLINDER SHELLS UNDER
AXIAL COMPRESSION LOADING

SUMMARY

The thin walled structures are used in many area, such as aircraft, space vehicles, and
missiles thanks to providing lower weight than the thicker structure. However, when
the lower weight is providing, there can be some lost of the strength of the structure.
One of the possible problem that coming with having thin walled structures is the
buckling. The shell structures under compression load may have some deformation.
The loading type which causes to the buckling may be the axial compression loading,
torsional loading, bending loading, hydrostatic or external pressure. In this thesis, the
consideration is only given to the axially compressed cylinders thanks to the most
cylinders are under this type of loading and more sensitive the structures under that
type of loading.

When the structure under compressive load, at a point, it suddenly start to buckle. This
point is the critical point for that structure. At that point, the structure has the
deformation. This deformed shape can still carry the loading but, of course, it is lower
than the critical load value. The behavior, after buckling, called post buckling
behavior. This implies that the buckled structure can be still used with the lower
buckling strength.
The phenomena buckling is studied for decades. For the derive the critical buckling
load under axially compressed cylinders, the stability theory is used and both energy
and the Donnell approaches is provided in the thesis. As the result of the derivation,
the critical stress value is 𝐸𝑡/𝑟√3(1 − 𝜇 2 ). Since the stress value is the ratio of the
force to area of the load applied. For the cylindrical shell structure, area that the load
applied is 2πrt. Therefore the buckling load formula is obtained as 2𝜋𝐸𝑡 2 /
√3(1 − 𝜇 2 ). Keep in mind that, this formula is only valid for the medium length
cylinder. As it is seen form the critical load formula, it is highly depended to the
thickness of te shell structure. The shorter cylinders are behaves plate like and longer
cylinders behave like the Euler column. The length range of the cylinder is decided
with the help of the Batdorf parameter.
After the theoretical part the analysis are presented. To be able to making numerical
analysis, first of all the optimization of the some parameters should be made. Those
parameters are mesh density, element type, constrain and load type etc. After the
suitable parameters are chosen, the analyses are made and compared to the theoretical
value. The computer program used the linear eigenvalue analysis for buckling
prediction. The lowest eigenvalue is provides to calculate the critical eigenvalue.
When it is multiplied with the applied load, the result is the critical load value.

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For the verification of the numerical study, the obtained value is compared with the
analytic solution. Also, some papers are found and the cylinders in those papers are
modeled and the results are compared.
Then, the some addition properties are given to the cylinder to see the effect of them.
These additions are used to increase the strength of the structure. For instance, the
composite material is used in terms of aluminum. For the same mass, the composite
material have higher critical value. When the effect of stringer and ring stiffened
structure is investigated, it is realized that the effect of the ring is lower than the ring
since the load is applied to the longitudinal direction. In addition, the shell cylinders
are used as tank, for that reason, effect of the internal pressure is investigated. As it is
expected, the internal pressure provide higher critical load value.
After the investigation of the stiffeners, composite material, and internal pressure, the
inertia relief load is applied to the same model. Inertia relief load is applied for
simulating the free structures like spacecraft, aircraft, or rocket. This kind of load is
applied for the static, dynamic, or buckling analysis. Obtained buckling shape is shown
in the thesis. The critical value that is obtained is the critical thrust value, as the
cylinder is considered as the rocket body. Obtained value is low but it is sourced from
the lack of the internal pressure or some structural components like stiffeners.
After all the analysis are performed, to see the buckling behavior, an experimental
study is performed. For the test specimens, the Coca-Cola can is used. The top and
bottom side of the cans are cut off and the buckling test is performed with the two
aluminum plate placed to the top and bottom side of the cylinder. Although there is a
significant difference. It can be sourced because of the high sensitivity of the buckling.
The load eccentricity has a great influence. Therefore, the analysis are made with the
eccentric loading.

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DAİRESEL KABUK YAPILI SİLİNDİRLERİN EKSENSEL YÜKLEME
ALTINDA BURULMA ANALİZİ

ÖZET

İnce duvarlı yapılar, endistrüride birçok kullanım alanına sahiptir. Bu alanlara örnek
olarak uçaklar, uzay araçları ve roketler verilebilir. İnce cidarlı yapıların kullanılma
nedeni yüksek mukavemet ağırlık oranına sahip olmasıdır. İnce cidarlı yapıların
kullanıldığı ilk örnek olarak Douglas DC2 uçağı verilebilir. Bir silindiri ince cidarlı
olarak tanımlayabilmemiz için yarıçapının kalınlığına oranının 20’den fazla olması
gerekir. İnce cidarlı yapıların sahip olduğu sorunlardan bir tanesi de burkulma
problemidir. Burkulmayı baskı yükleri altındaki yapıda gerçekleşen kararsızlık hali
olarak tanımlamamız mümkündür. Bu kararsızlık hali iki şekilde görülebilir. Bu
ayrılma davranışı ya da burkulma sonrası davranış olarak görülür. Burkulmaya neden
olan baskı yükleri; eksensel basma yükü, burulma yükü, bükülme yükü, dış veya
hidrostatik basınç olabilir. Bu tez kapsamında, eksensel basma altındaki ince cidarlı
silindirlerin burkulma davranışı incelenmiştir.

Eksensel yük uygulanmış silindir belli bir noktada deformasyon gösterir. Bu nokta
burkulma gözlemlenir. Bu noktadan sonra, yapı hala yük taşımaya devam eder ancak
bu noktadan sonra taşınacak yük kritik yük değerinden daha düşüktür.

Burkulma konusu uzun zamandır çalışılan bir konudur. Teorik olarak formül
çıkrımında enerji metodu ya da Donnell’in lineer teorisi kullanılabilir. Bu iki yöntem
tezin içerisinde verilmiştir. Bu yöntemlerin sonucunda eksensel basma altındaki
silindir için kritik stres formülü bulunmuştur. Kritik stres değeri 𝐸𝑡/𝑟√3(1 − 𝜇 2 )
şeklinde bulunabilir. Bu formül sadece orta boylu silindirler için kullanılır. Silindirin
boyunun kısa, orta, ya da uzun olduğunu belirlemek için Batdort parametresi kullanılır.
Orta boylu silindirler için burkulma şekli elmas şekilli olurken, kısa silindirler levha
benzeri davranış gösterir. Uzun silindirler ise Euler kolonu gibi davranır. Bir yapıdaki
stres, uygulanan yükün yük uygulanan alana olan oranından elde edildiğinden, kritik
burkulma yükünü hesaplamak için kuvvetin uygulandığı yüzeyin alanını elde edilen
stres formülüyle çarpmamız gerekir. Silindir yapılar için yükün uygulandığı alan 2πrt
şeklinde bulunur. Bu durunda, elde edilen kritik yük değeri 2𝜋𝐸𝑡 2 /
√3(1 − 𝜇 2 )formülü ile bulunur.

Tezin bir sonraki adımı olarak, nümerik çözümlere başlandı. Nümerik çözümler
ABAQUS 6.14-1 ile yapıldı. Analizlerden önce bazı parametrelerin optimizasyonu
yapıldı. Bu parametreler ağ yapı yoğunluğu, ağ yapısınında kullanılan eleman tipi, ya
da yük ve tutma şeklidir. Analiz için uygun parametreler seçildikten sonra analizlere
başlandı. Ayrıca, bilgisayar programı, burkulma analizi yapılırken lineer özdeğer

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analizi yapar. Elde edilen özdeğer uygulanan yükle çarpıldığı zaman yapının sahip
olabileceği kritik yük miktarı elde edilmiş olur. Analiz sonucunda elde edilen özvektör
ise burkulma şeklini verir.

Analizlerin doğrulaması için, teorik olarak elde edilen formülden sapma miktarına
bakılarak yapılmıştır. Daha sonra birkaç tane makale bulunarak buradaki silindirler
modellenip lineer burkulma analizleri gerçekleştirildi ve elde edilen değerler ile
makalelerdeki değerler kıyaslandı.

Doğrulama aşamasından sonra, silindire bazı ek özellikler verilerek değişik koşullarda

burkulma davranışı gözlemlenmiştir. Bu özellikler; iç basınç, yüzük şeklinde ve
silindir boyunca kiriş takviyesi, ve kompozit malzemedir. Kompozit malzeme,
alimuinyum malzemeye göre daha düşük bir özkütleye sahiptir. Aynı kütleli
aliminyum ve kompozit malzemeden yapılmış silindirler için burkulma yükü
bulunduğunda, kompozit malzemenin daha yüksek bir kritik yüke sahip olduğu
gözlemlenbilir. Ayrıca, kompozit malzemelerin burkulma yükü, kompozit
malzemenin katmanlarının dizilim sırasınada bağlıdır. Takviyeli silindirlerde ise kritik
yük her iki takviye şeklinde artış gösterse bile yüzük şeklindeki takvitedeki artış
düşüktür. Bu durum, yükün silindir boyunca uygulanmasından kaynaklıdır. İnce yapılı
silindirler tanklar için de kullanılabilir. Bu sebeple, iç basınç bulunduran silindir içinde
burlulma analizleri yapılmıştır. İç basınçta diğer özellikler gibi kritik yükte artışa sebep
olmuştur. Buradan anlaşılacağı gibi, değişik tasarım parametreleriyle, kritik yüklerde
artış sağlanabilir.

Bu analizlerden sonra, ataletsel boşalma kuvveti uygulanmıştır. Bu kuvvet uçak, uzay

aracı, veya roket gibi serbest yapılarda kullanır. Modellediğimiz silindiri bir roket
olarak düşündüğümüzde, analiz sonucu elde edilen değer bize roketin sahip olabileceği
kritik itki kuvvetini verecektir. Bu tip kuvvet uygulandığında oluşan burkulma şekli
tezin içinde verilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda elde edilen değer bir roketin sahip
olabileceği ikti kuvvetinden daha düşük olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bunun sebebi, bir
rokette; takviyelere, optimum tasarım parametrelerine ve içinde bulunan ekipmanların
sayesinde iç basınç varmış gibi davranması sonucunda bu değer daha yükselir. Bu tip
yükleme altında burkulma analizi için literatürde az sayıda makale olmasından dolayı,
bu durum için makaleden doğrulama çalışması yapılamamıştır.

Nümerik analizler tamamlandıktan sonra, deneysel olarak burkulma davranışı

incelenmiştir. Deneyler yapılırken Coca-Cola kutuları kullanılmış. Test numunesi
hazırlanırken kutuların alt ve üst yüzeyleri çıkarılmıştır. Daha sonra, basma testi
gerçekleştirilmiştir. Deneyler yapılırken test numunelerinin alt ve üst kısmına
aliminyum plakalar kullanılarak basmanın daha düzgün şekilde yapılması
sağlanmıştır. Deney yaparken dokuz tane deney numunesi kullanılmıştır. Ancak elde
edilen değerler deneyin modeliyle yapılan analizlerle arasında fark gözlemlenmiştir.
Bu fark ise burkulmanın kusurlara karşı hassas olmasından kaynaklı olabilir. Özellikle
yüklemede gerçekleşen kaçaklık burkulma yükünde büyük bir değişime sebep
olmuştur. Bu sebeple, eksensel kaçıklık simülasyona eklenmiştir. Kritik yükün
düşmesine neden olan diğer kusurlar ise silindirin kalınlığının tekdüze devam
etmemesi, üretimde malzemede gerçekleşen kusurlar, kaynak gibi üretim teknikler vb.
özelliklerdir.

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Bu çalışmda, burkulma kavramı öncelikle analitik olarak ele alınmıştır. Kısa, orta, ve
uzun silindirler için kritik burkulma yükü hesaplanmıştır. Daha sonra, nümerik
analizler yapılmıştır. Ayrıca, deneysel çalışmalarda yapılmıştır. Bu tezin amacı, ince
yapıların stabilitesi için önemli olan burkulma konusu incelemektir. Burkulma bir çok
alanda kullanılan ince cidarlı yapılarda sorun teşkil etmektedir. Ayrıca, burkulma
hiçbir uyaran olmadan statik yüklerin birikmesiyle aniden gerçekleşir. Fakat bir
silindirin burkulması kullanılamayacak hale geldiği sonucuna bağlanmaz. Burkulma
sonrasında silindir hala yük taşımaya devam eder fakat taşıdığı yük kritik yükün
altında bir değerdir.

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1. INTRODUCTION

The thin walled structures are used in marine industry, aviation industry, and
automotive industry in terms of decrease the weight of the structure. Having high
strength to weight ratio is a requirement especially in the aviation industry. As one of
the first example of the shell structure Douglas DC 2 aircraft may be given (Jones,
2006, p. 463). Then, the application of the shell structures is expanded to the other
engineering area such as rockets and missiles. The shell structures have very small
thickness when compared with the radius of the cylinders. Although there are many
definations of shell structure, it can be assumed that the structures, which have radius
to thickness ration, is greater than 20 is shell structure.
The buckling is the phenomena, which occurs under compressive loads or stresses, and
it is instability of the equilibrium. The buckling can be divided into two such as
nonlinear collapse and bifurcation buckling (Bushnell, 2012).As it can be predicted,
the nonlinear analysis is needed to predict nonlinear collapse. The stiffness of the
structure (slope of the load deflection curve) is decreasing while the load increases.
The slope is zero when the collapse load is reached. If the structure deforms, the
deformation happens suddenly and dramatically. This behavior is called snap-through
(Bushnell, 2012). Bifurcation buckling is a different type of failure which is predicted
from eigenvalue analysis. After the bifurcation point on the load deflection curve, the
deformation behavior changes to new pattern which is not like the prebuckling pattern.
This new pattern mode happens when post bifurcation part of the curve has negative
slope (Bushnell, 2012).
The buckling happens without any warning. Therefore, it is important to consider the
possibility of the buckling in the design state of the structure. To decrease the
possibility of the failure, some reinforcement element, such as stiffeners, can be used.
Moreover, the buckling of shell elements is more complicated than the bars and plates
because the cylinders have more variety of geometric parameters.

1
In the Figure 1.1, the local buckling of the top surfaces of a glinder’s wing is given.
The top surface of the glinder behaves as a thin cylindrical shell under axial (span
wise) compression. The largest axial compression value occurs near the roots of the
glinder’s wing and it is sourced because of the bending of the wing towards to the
viewer when the glinder makes turn nearby the mountain. The reason why the buckling
happens locally is that there are spars under the wing’s surface and they prevent to fail
catastrophically (Bushnell & Bushnell, Shell Buckling, 2017).
One of the common loading type for a cylindrical shell structure is uniform axial
compression. The axial compression may be caused by heavy structures such as
towers. The friction force between the solids and the shell walls of a silo applies axial
compression. Also, this type of loading may be caused by the weight of the roof that
cover the cylindrical shell. Moreover, the other types of loading may cause
symmetrical or unsymmetrical axial compression.

Figure 1.1 : Locally buckled glinder’s wing (Bushnell & B. Bushnell, n.d).

2
1.1 Purpose of Thesis

The aim of this study is having an idea about what is buckling, understanding the
theories behind this phenomena. To visualize the buckling, Finite Element Program is
used for under different condition for the thin walled circular cylindrical structures.
The loading type is considered in this study is only axial compression force. As a result,
performed analysis gives the critical buckling load and the corresponding buckling
mode shape.

1.2 Literature Review

The stability of the shell structures is investigated for decades. The studies are
generally focused on the axial loading, which is more sensitive to the imperfections.
Although the effects of imperfections are not included in analyses of this study, the
chosen loading type is axial compression.
The critical stress of thin walled shell structure firstly studied by Love (1927)
Southwell (1914) and Flugge (1934). Those studies are based on the small (linear)
deflection stability theory. Deflections are assumed as they are infinitesimal in the
small deflection stability theory. Therefore, strain and stress relations are linear
equations of the displacement. Then, Donnell neglected some terms, which have small
value, and reduce three differential equation to one eight order deferential equation,
which includes only the radial displacement, w (1933). Then, Koiter (1970) studies the
shell theory.
For the large deflection (non-linear) theory, the deflections are assumed as they are
finite though small. Therefore, the strain and equilibrium relations include non-linear
term. Thanks to the non-linear terms, Donnell (1934) adds the effects of the initial
imperfections (caused by load eccentricity and the deviation from the perfect
cylindrical shape) to the analysis.
With the help of the energy method, the postbuckling behavior of compressed shells
was studied (Karman & Tsien, 1941). They realized that the loads are quite below the
loads that obtained from the classical theory.
Also, Batdorf (1947) is studied the buckling and a parameter is developed in terms of
the categorizes the cylinders according to ther lengths.
With the effect of technological development in finite element programs, the buckling
is started to investigated with those programs. Numerous studies are made with

3
commercial program for understanding buckling. As an example, Subramani and
Sugathan (2012) is used ANSY and LS-DYNA for the analsis of thin walled circular
and elliptical cylinder.
Also, the buckling of the stiffened shells and composite shells are studied for many
writter. As an example, thesis of the Razi Kaantarı(2015) can be given for the
composite buckling and the master thesis of the Elisabeth Slettum (2013) can be given
for the buckling study of the stiffened cylindrical shells.

4
2. BUCKLING OF THE SHELL STRUCTURE

2.1 Fundamental Definations

2.1.1 Stability

A little disturbance which is applied to the system causes only small changes from the
equilibrium state and it turns its original position, when the structure is in stable state
(Jones, 2006).
To illustrate this behavior, the valley example is generally used. The stable equllibrium
of the ball on the bottom surface of the valley. When the load applied to the ball, it
tents to turn the equilibrium position. The valley example is shown in the Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: Ball in the valley (Jones, 2006).

2.1.2 Instability

A mechanical system or structural element is unstable if applied small disturbance

results with a rapid change in displacement value or deformation mode and the system
does not return its original equilibrium position (Jones, 2006).
The well known example is that a ball is placed on a top of hill. Then, applied small
force causes the change in the equilibrium position and never return to the top of the
hill. The hill and the ball is shown in the Figure 2.2.

Figure 2.2: Ball on the valley (Jones, 2006).

5
If the ball surrounded by hills as shown in the Figure 2.3, according to the magnitude
of the disturbance, the stability of the system is changing. If the applied load is high
enough, the system becomes unstable. If the force is small, the ball will return its
original position. That means the system is stable. This type of equilibrium position is
called metastable (Jones, 2006).

Figure 2.3: Ball in a possibly precarious position (Jones, 2006).

2.1.3 Buckling load

The buckling load may be defined as the load that the structure changes its state from
stable to unstable suddenly. It means that the structure pass another stabilitiy
equilibrium with or without huge deflection. Therefore, it is the maximum load that
the structure can be subjected for the original stable equilibrium (Jones, 2006).

For some structural elements, load deflection behavior can be in the Figure 2.4. It can
be seen that the load reaches point C which is limit point. Then, the curve goes to D,
so the structural element, which is under fixed loading P, snap through the point E
which is another equilibrium state.

Figure 2.4: Buckling into a non-adjacent stable equilibium state (Jones, 2006).

6
2.1.4 Bifurcation

The structure buckles to another equilibrium shape. The direction of the load
deformation curve is changing at the buckling load. This sudden change of equilibrium
pattern is called bifurcation that occurs between two separate equilibrium paths.

2.1.5 Bifurcation Equation

As the results of the studies about the stability of the cylinders in analytically and
experimentally, the some combined equations are gained. That format includes the
reduction factors which decreases the linear elastic bifurcation buckling stress. The
equation can be given as below (Ziemian, 2010).

𝐹𝑖 = 𝜂𝐾𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑗 𝜎𝑖𝑒𝑗 (2.1)

In this formula, σiej is theoretical elastic buckling stress. η is the plastic reduction
factor. This reduction factor indicates the residual stress level and the shape of the
stress-strain curve. If the plastic factor is 1, then the buckling is completely elastic. In
the formula K shows the slenderness factor which includes the effects of the boundary
conditions and the length of the cylinder. α is a capacity reduction factor and it is used
for the deviations between test and theory. Those factors are used as a lower limit on
the test data (Ziemian, 2010).

2.1.6 Buckling mode

Buckling modes are obtained via eigenvalue analysis. The eigenvectors give the
buckling mode and they determines the half wave number along longitudinal direction
of the shell (m) and wave number along the circumferential direction (n) In figure 2.5,
the buckling mode numbers are illustrated. The buckling mode may be influenced by
the boundary conditions, loading type, and imperfections. When the wave number in
circumferential direction is zero, then the buckling mode become axisymmetric mode.
Also, the length of the cylinder under axial load may be assumed as having only one
half wave in longitudinal direction.

7
 Figure 2.5: Buckling mode.

2.2 Elastic Stability Theory

To investigate elastic stability, three methods, which are statical method, energy
method, and method of vibration, can be used (Southwell, 1914). In this study, the
energy method and derivation of the Donnell equation, which is a statical method, is
investigated.

2.2.1 Energy Method

The critical buckling on the cylinder can be found by using energy method. The energy
of the axial compression is equal to the total strain energy when the cylindrical shell
shape does not become deformed. It should also taken into consentration that the strain
of the middle surface in circumferential direction and also bending of the shell occur
right along with the axial compression. Therefore, there is an increase in the strain
energy of the shell and that increase should be same as the work done by the
compressive load as the cylinder shortens owning to buckling (Timoshenko & Gere,
𝑚𝜋𝑥
1963). The radial displacement is assumed 𝑤 = −𝐴 𝐬in ( ).
𝑙

8
The axial strain before buckling can be given as;

𝑁𝒄𝒓 (2.2)
𝜀0 = −
𝐸𝑡

Then, the equation below can be obtained.

𝜀1 + 𝜇𝜀2 = (1 − 𝜇 2 )𝜀0 (2.3)

where 𝜀1 and 𝜀2 are strains in the direction of axial and circumferancel, respectively.

𝑤 𝐴 𝑚𝜋𝑥 (2.4)
𝜀2 = −𝜇𝜀0 − = −𝜇𝜀0 + 𝐬in ( )
𝑟 𝑟 𝑙

𝐴 𝑚𝜋𝑥 (2.5)
𝜀1 = 𝜀0 − 𝜇 sin ( )
𝑟 𝑙

The change in the curvature in the axial plane can be expresssed as;

𝜕 2𝑤 𝑚2 𝜋 2 𝑚𝜋𝑥 (2.6)
𝜅1 = 2
= 𝐴 2
sin ( )
𝜕𝑥 𝑙 𝑙

Substitute that strain and curvature equations into the bending and membrane strain
energy formulas which is given below.

𝐸𝑡 (2.6)
𝑈𝑚 = ∬[𝜀12 + 𝜀22 + 2𝜇𝜀1 𝜀2 + 2(1 − 𝜇)𝛾𝑥𝑦
2
]𝑑𝐴
2(1 − 𝜇 2 )
𝐸𝑡 3 (2.7)
𝑈𝑏 = ∬[𝜅12 + 𝜅22 + 2𝜇𝜅1 𝜅2 + 2(1 − 𝜇)𝜅32 ]𝑑𝐴
24(1 − 𝜇 2 )

Therefore, total strain energy is addition of the bending and membrane strain energy.

𝑈 = 𝑈𝑏 + 𝑈𝑚 (2.8)

Thanks to the symmetry of deformation,

𝛾 = 𝜅2 = 𝜅3 = 0 (2.9)

Then, the increase in the strain energy expression is;

𝑙
𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝜋𝐴2 𝐸𝑡𝑙 𝐴2 𝜋 4 𝑚4 (2.10)
∆𝑈 = −2𝜋𝑡𝐸𝜇𝜀0 ∫ 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 + + 𝜋𝑟𝑙𝐷
0 𝑙 2𝑟 2𝑙 4

The work done by compressive force during buckling is;

9
 𝑙
𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑟 𝑚2 𝜋 2 (2.11)
∆𝑇 = 2𝜋𝑁𝑐𝑟 (𝜇 ∫ 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐴2 )
0 𝑙 4 𝑙

The first term in the parantheses represents change of the axial strain and the second
term occurs because of the bending of the generators given by the radial displacement
equation.

When the equation of increase in strain energy and the work done is equated, for the
critical stress, the equation below is found.

𝑁𝑐𝑟 𝑚2 𝜋 2 𝐸 𝑙2 (2.12)
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = = 𝐷( 2 + 2 )
𝑡 𝑡𝑙 𝑟 𝐷 𝑚2 𝜋 2

Many waves would be formed through the length of the cylinder so, it is possible to
consider that 𝜎𝑐𝑟 is a continuous function of 𝑚𝜋/𝑙 and the minimum value of the
critical stress 𝜎𝑐𝑟 , can be calculated as;

2 𝐸𝑡 (2.13)
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = √𝐸𝐷𝑡 =
𝑟𝑡 𝑟√3(1 − 𝜇 2 )

which occurs at

(2.14)
𝑚𝜋 4 𝐸𝑡
=√ 2
𝑙 𝑟 𝐷

Therefore, the length of the half waves for 𝜇 = 0.3 is

4 𝑟 2𝐷
(2.15)
𝑙 4 𝑟 2𝑡
=𝜋 √ =𝜋 √ ≈ 1.72√𝑟𝑡
𝑚 𝐸𝑡 12(1 − 𝜇 2 )

2.2.2 Linear Theory of Cylindrical Shells- Donnell Equation

In this approach, the equilibrium on the infinitesimally small circular shell element is
considered when the shell equation is derived. Figure 2.6 shows the displacement’s
components of the middle surface of the wall and the coordinates.

10
 Figure 2.6: Displacement components (Donnell,1933).

Here, w is radial displacement, v is circumferential displacement and u is axial

displacement. According to Donnell, the theory established with some assumptions
and those assumptions can be listed as;

 The material is perfectly elastic,

 The tube is perfectly cylindrical,
 The wall thickness is very small compared with the radius,
 The deflections are smaller than the thickness,
 The distortion is negligible (it means that the straight in the cylinder wall
perpendicular to the middle surface remains straight and perpendicular to the
middle surface) (Donnell, 1933).

When the equilibrium equation that in terms of w, v, and u; firstly geometric relation
between the displacement and strain is taken into account. Then, with the help of
Hooke’s and Poisson’s relation, stress-strain relation and the relation between all the
stresses on the element of the wall. The theorem is based on the middle surface strain
and the curvatures. The strain and curvature equation for the small shell element is
given below.

11
 𝜕𝑢 (2.16)
𝜀1 =
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑢 𝑤 (2.17)
𝜀2 = ( )+
𝑟𝜕𝜃 𝑟
1 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣 (2.18)
𝜀12 = ( + )
2 𝑟𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥
𝜕 2𝑤 (2.19)
𝜅1 =
𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕 2𝑤 (2.20)
𝜅2 =
𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃 2
𝜕 2𝑤 (2.21)
𝜅12 =
𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃

Those equations are same with the well-known equations for the flat plate except the
second strain. It includes additional w/r term which caused by the change in
circumferential dimension with the change in radius.

In the Figure 2.7, the forces and moments on the element of wall. The resultant forces
and moments per unit length is gotten by summing stresses through the thickness.

G12 G’12

T12 T’12

Figure 2.7: The infinitesimal shell element (Donnell,1933).

𝐸𝑡 (2.22)
𝑇1 = (𝜀 + 𝜇𝜀2 )
1 − 𝜇2 1
𝐸𝑡 (2.23)
𝑇2 = (𝜀 + 𝜇𝜀1 )
1 − 𝜇2 2
𝐸𝑡 (2.24)
𝑇12 = 𝜀
2(1 + 𝜇) 12

12
 𝐸𝑡 3 (2.25)
𝐺1 = (𝜅 + 𝜇𝜅2 )
12(1 − 𝜇 2 ) 1
𝐸𝑡 3 (2.26)
𝐺2 = (𝜅 + 𝜇𝜅1 )
12(1 − 𝜇 2 ) 2
𝐸𝑡 3 (2.27)
𝐺12 = 𝜅
12(1 + 𝜇) 12

These parameters,𝑇1 , 𝑇2 , 𝐺1 etc., are indicates just the changes of the internal forces
during buckling. The total internal forces are found by summing internal forces before
buckling and those changes in internal forces. Then, the force and moment equilibrium
conditions are considered and the statical equilibrium conditions, after simplification,
are given below.

𝜕𝑇1 𝜕𝑇12 ′ (2.28)

∑ 𝐹1 = + =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜃
𝜕𝑇2 𝜕𝑇12 (2.29)
∑ 𝐹2 = + =0
𝑟𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑁1 𝜕𝑁2 𝑇2 𝜕 2𝑤 (2.30)
∑ 𝐹12 = + + + 2𝑟𝜃𝑡 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝑟𝜕𝜃 𝑟 𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃
𝜕𝐺12 𝜕𝐺2 (2.31)
∑ 𝑀1 = + − 𝑁2 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝑟𝜕𝜃
𝜕𝐺1 𝜕𝐺12 ′ (2.32)
∑ 𝑀2 = + − 𝑁1 = 0
𝜕𝑥 𝑟𝜕𝜃

Since T12=T12’, there is no need to write the equilibrium in the radial direction. Also,
𝑇2
the term in the equation 2.30 is sourced by the resultant force of 𝑇1 𝑑𝑥 and the force
𝑟

on the opposite face of the shell element that occurs due to the angle dθ, and that angle
is due to the curvature of the element and the other terms of the above equilibrium
𝜕2 𝑤
equation are the same for the flat plate. The term 2𝑟𝜃𝑡 𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃 is sourced by the

distortion.

To eliminate N1 and N2, the last two equtions 2.31 and 2.32 are used and T1, G1 etc.
are substituted. Then, strain and curvature equations are substituted. As a result, three
equation below which contain the derivatives of the displacement components with
respect to the x and rdθ are obtained.

𝜕 2𝑢 1 − 𝜇 𝜕 2𝑢 1 + 𝜇 𝜕 2𝑣 𝜇 𝜕𝜔 (2.33)
+ + + =0
𝜕𝑥 2 2 𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃 2 2 𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃 𝑟 𝜕𝑥

13
 𝜕 2𝑣 1 − 𝜇 𝜕 2𝑣 1 + 𝜇 𝜕 2𝑢 1 𝜕𝜔 (2.34)
2 2
+ 2
+ + =0
𝑟 𝜕𝜃 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃 𝑟 𝑟𝜕𝜃
𝐵 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢 𝜔 𝜕 2𝜔 𝜕 2𝜔 𝜕 2𝜔 (2.35)
𝐷∇4 𝜔 + ( +𝜇 + ) + 𝑁1 2 + 2𝑁3 + 𝑁2 2 2 + 𝑝
𝑟 𝑟𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃 𝑟 𝜕𝜃
=0
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝐸𝑡 3 𝐸𝑡
where ∇2 = 𝜕𝑥 + 𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃2, 𝐷 = 12(1−𝜇2), 𝐵 = (1−𝜇2 )

The simplified form of these three equation can be obtained by some simplifications:
𝜕2 𝜕2
applying 𝜕𝑥 2 and 𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃2 to the first equation, solving in each case for the term involving
𝜕2
v, substituting these expressions in the equation obtained by applying to the
𝑟 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃2

second equation, so the terms that include v are eliminated. Similar procedure for
𝜕2 𝜕2
eliminating term that include u is applied. The steps are applying 𝜕𝑥 2 and 𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃2 to the

second equation, solving for the terms that include u, and substituting into the first
𝜕2
equation, and applying 𝑟 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃2 , After simplification, those equations are obtained as,

𝜕 3𝜔 𝜕 3𝜔 (2.36)
𝑟∇4 𝑢 = −𝜇 +
𝜕𝑥 3 𝑟 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃 2
𝜕 3𝜔 𝜕 3𝜔 (2.37)
𝑟∇4 𝑣 = −(2 + 𝜇) −
𝑟𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝜃 𝑟 3 𝜕𝜃 3
𝜕 𝜕
After that, apply 𝜕𝑥 to the equation 2.36 and apply 𝑟𝜕𝜃 to the equation 2.37. Then, take

∇4 to the third equation of the equation 2.35. Then the equation 2.38, which has only
radial displacement component, is obtained.

8
𝐸𝑡 𝜕 4 𝜔 4
𝜕 2𝜔 𝜕 2𝜔 𝜕𝑦 (2.38)
𝐷∇ 𝜔 + 2 4 + ∇ (𝑁1 2 + 2𝑁3 + 𝑁2 2 2 + 𝑝) = 0
𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝑟𝜕𝑥𝜕𝜃 𝑟 𝜕𝜃

This equation is well known Donnell’s equation. This equation is similar to the
equation for flat plate. The difference between equation for flat plate and for cylinders
are the second term of the Donnell equation. As considering radius goes to infinite, the
second term diminishes (Donnell, 1933). Donnell equation is arranged for different
types of loading. Here, 𝑁1 represents force in axial direction, 𝑁2 represents in
circumferential direction, and 𝑁3 represents force in radial direction. Moreover, the D
is called bending rigitidy and B is called axial rigitidy.

14
 𝐸𝑡 3 (2.39)
𝐷=
12(1 − 𝜇 2 )
1 (2.40)
𝐵=
√3(1 − 𝜇2)

2.3 Formulation of Buckling Stress and Buckling Mode for Cylindrical Shell
Under Axial Compression

In this part, the buckling stress formula has derived from the Donnell’s eight-order
equation. The load in prebuckling state for the axial compressed cylinder, which has
simply supported at both ends, x=0 and x=l, is:
𝑃 (2.41)
𝑁1 = , 𝑁 = 0, 𝑁3 = 0
2𝜋𝑟 2
Where 1 is the longitudinal, 2 is the circumferential, 3 radial directions and the
displacement field is:
𝑃 (2.42)
𝑢(𝑥) = − 𝑥
2𝜋𝑟𝑡𝐸
𝜇 𝑃𝑙 (2.43)
𝜔=
𝐸 2𝜋𝑟𝑡

Figure 2.8: Schematic view of the displacements.

Assuming that the only load on the cylinder subjected to is N1 is reduced to the Donnell
equation to the following form.
𝐸𝑡 𝜕 4 𝜔 𝑃 4 𝜕 2𝜔 (2.44)
D∇8 𝜔 + + ∇ =0
𝑟 2 𝜕𝑥 4 2𝜋𝑟 𝜕𝑥 2
For the buckling deformation, the double sine deflection formula is used.

15
 𝑚𝜋𝑥 (2.45)
𝜔(𝑥, 𝜃) = 𝑐1 sin ( ) sin(𝑛𝜃)
𝑙
where 𝑐1is the magnitude, m is the number of half wave in axial direction, n is the
number of wave in circumferential direction. Values of n and m should be integer
number.
The half wavelength can be found as
𝑙 (2.46)
𝜆=
𝑚
Using dimensionless buckling number is sufficient.
𝑚𝜋𝑥 𝑚𝜋𝑟 𝑥 𝑥 (2.47)
=( ) =𝑚 ̅
𝑙 𝑙 𝑟 𝑟
𝑚𝜋𝑟 (2.48)
𝑚
̅=
𝑙
Using that number and substituting deflection equation into the reduced Donnell
Equation, it becomes,
𝐷 (2.49)
[ 2
̅ 2 + 𝑛2 ) + 𝑚
(𝑚 ̅ 4 (1 − 𝜇 2 )𝐵
𝑟
𝑃 𝑐1 𝑥
− (𝑚̅ 2 + 𝑛 2 )2 𝑚
̅ 2 ] 6 sin (𝑚
̅ ) sin(𝑛𝜃) = 0
2𝜋𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
To get zero, set the coefficient int the bracket to zero, the critical buckling load is
obtained as,
𝑃𝑐𝑟 ̅ 2 + 𝑛 2 )2
𝐷 (𝑚 2 )𝐵
𝑚̅2 (2.50)
𝑁𝑐𝑟 = = (1
+ −𝜇
2𝜋𝑟 𝑟 2 𝑚̅2 ̅ 2 + 𝑛 2 )2
(𝑚

To simplicity, let us to define dimensionless parameter X as;

̅ 2 + 𝑛 2 )2
(𝑚 (2.51)
𝑋=
𝑚̅2
Therefore, critical load becomes;
𝐷 1 (2.52)
𝑁𝑐𝑟 = 2
𝑋 + (1 − 𝜇 2 )𝐵
𝑟 𝑋
To find minimum analytical value, take the derivative of the critical loading with
respect to X and equate to zero.
𝑑𝑁𝑐𝑟 𝐷 1 (2.53)
= 2 − (1 − 𝜇 2 )𝐵 2 = 0
𝑑𝑋 𝑟 𝑋
For optimum value of X;

16
 (2.54)
(1 − 𝜇 2 )𝐵𝑟 2 𝑟
𝑋𝑜𝑝𝑡 =√ = √12(1 − 𝜇 2 )
𝐷 𝑡
𝑟
≈ 3.3 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜇 = 0.3)
𝑡
For that value of X, the minimum critical load value is given below.
𝐸 𝑡2 (2.55)
(𝑁𝑐𝑟 )𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
√3(1 − 𝜇 2 ) 𝑟
The corresponding critical stress is found by dividing the critical force to the thickness
of the cylindrical shell (Wierzbicki, n.d.).
(𝑁𝑐𝑟 )𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐸 𝑡 (2.56)
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = =
𝑡 √3(1 − 𝜇 2 ) 𝑟
𝑡
≈ 0.605𝐸 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜇 = 0.3)
𝑟

2.3.1 Buckling coefficient and Batdorf parameter

The dimensionless buckling coefficient is given as;

𝑡𝑙 2 (2.57)
𝑘𝑐 = 𝜎𝑐𝑟 2
𝜋 𝐷
This parameter depends on both geometric and material properties of the shell.
Moreover, the Batdorf parameter is defined as;
√1 − 𝜇 2 𝑙 2 (2.58)
𝑍=
𝑟𝑡
Batdorf parameter helps to determine the regions of behavior of the buckling patern.
This parameter is change with the geometric parameters but there is a slight effect of
material properties since, it includes possions ratio. Although the cylinders are
classified with Batdorf parameter as long, medium, or short, the parameter is not only
depends on the length of the cylinder but it is also dependent to the radius and thickness
as it is seen from the formula. In Figure 2.9, the same cylinders with same Z value is
shown. While the length of the cylinder is constant, the shell is at the range of thick-
narrow (huge t, small R) to thin-wide (small t,large R). While the radius of the cylinder
is constant, it is at the range of thick-long to thin-short. While the thickness is constant,
it is at the range of long-wide to short-narrow (Jones, 2006).

17
 Figure 2.9: Represantative circular cylindrical shells corresponding to the same
value of z (Jones, 2006).
For Z<2.85, buckling is plate-like buckling
𝜋2𝐸 (2.59)
𝜎 = 𝑘𝑐
𝑙 2
12(1 − 𝜇 2 ) (𝑟)
𝟏𝟐𝒁𝟐
where 𝑘𝒄 = (for simply supported edges).
𝝅𝟒
𝟐𝒓 𝟐
𝟏.𝟐( )
𝒕
For 2.85 < 𝑍 < , buckling is diamond-shape bulge.
𝑩
𝐵𝐸 (2.60)
𝜎=
𝑟𝑡
1 𝐸𝑡
where 𝐵 = . Therefore, 𝜎 = .
√3(1−𝜇 2 ) 𝑟√3(1−𝜇 2 )
𝐸 𝑡
Since, 𝜎𝑐𝑟 = , The buckling coefficient is,
√3(1−𝜇 2 ) 𝑟

𝐸 𝑡 𝑡𝑙 2 (2.61)
𝑘𝑐 = 2
√3(1 − 𝜇 2 ) 𝑟 𝜋 𝐷
12 𝑙2
= √1 − 𝜇 2
√3𝜋 2 𝑟𝑡
12
= 𝑍
√3𝜋 2
𝑘𝑐 = 0.702𝑍
2𝑟 2
1.2( )
𝑡
For 𝑍 > , the cylinder behaves like Euler column buckling and the stress
𝐵

formula in this case is,

𝜋2 𝑟 2 (2.62)
𝜎= 𝐸 ( )
2 𝑙

18
 (Ziemian, 2010).
Therefore, an axially loaded cylinder’s buckling mode is highly depends on the ratio
of its length to radius. As it is mentioned before, short and wide cylinders which, have
small length to radius ratio, behaves as plate supported at loaded edges. In the
longitudinal direction, only one half wave occurs and the buckling is axysmmetric
which means that there is no half wave in the circumferential direction. The buckling
of very long cylinders is like Euler column(Chajes, 1974).
Figure 2.10 shows how the buckling coefficient is changing with Batdort parameter
which indicates whether the cylinder is long or short. Via using buckling coefficient
formula for plate like buckling, if 2.85 is substituted for Z value, then the buckling
coefficient is one as shown in the Figure 2.10.

Figure 2.10: Buckling coefficient for simply supported ısotropic circular

cylinders subjected to axial compression (Nasa, 1965).

2.4 Example Cylinder

To implement the formula for buckling that derived before, a circular cylindrical shell
is considered and the model of that cylinder is given in Figure 2.11. The geometric and
material properties of the cylinder given below.

19
 Figure 2.11: Example circular cylindrical shell.

Material Properties;
 Young’s Modulus (E): 69000 MPa
 Posions Ratio (µ): 0.33
Geometric Properties;
 Length of the cylinder: 1000 mm
 Radius of the cylinder: 100 mm
 Thickness of the cylinder: 0.5 mm
Firstly, the Batdorf parameter, which is given in equation 2.56, calculated to decide
which buckling formula is used.
𝑙2 10002
𝑍 = √1 − 𝜇2 = √1 − 0.332 = 18879.62
𝑟𝑡 100𝑥0.5
2𝑟 2
1.2 ( 𝑡 ) 1
= 313924.4 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐵 =
𝐵 √3(1 − 𝜇 2 )
Since 2.85< Z < 313924.4, we use the buckling stress formula, equation 2.59 for
moderately long cylinders. Then, calculate the critical load with multiplying stress
with the area that force applied.
𝐸𝑡 (69𝑥109 )(0.5𝑥10−3 )
𝜎= = = 2.11𝑥108 𝑃𝑎
𝑟√3(1 − 𝜇2) 100𝑥10−3 √3(1 − 0.332 )
𝑁𝑐𝑟 = 𝜎𝑐𝑟 2𝜋𝑟𝑡 = 2.11𝑥108 𝑥2𝜋𝑥100𝑥10−3 𝑥0.5𝑥10−3 = 66287.6

20
3. FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

3.1 General Information

Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical method that allow solving any problems
of physical phenomena. Real life problems generally include complex geometry,
loading, and materials and analytical solution is impossible (Logan, 2012). FEM can
be used for some areas such as structural analysis, solid mechanics, dynamic analysis,
thermal analysis. The problems in those areas are mostly in the form of partial
differential equation. To be able to solve those differential equations, some
commercial finite element analysis programs are developed. The solution gained form
the Finite Element Analysis is not exact solution but it is the approximate solution.
When the finite element analysis performed, the analysis is made with dividing the
structures to the small parts. Moreover, the results of the analysis may be vary with the
change in the number and size of the elements. In addition, the mesh type and
simplicity of the structure can have an effect on the approximate result. Therefore, to
get more accurate results, it is important that the assigning correct mesh properties. In
addition to the mesh properties, it is highly influenced from the boundary condition
and the loading type. Thus, while the condition of the real life adapted to the
simulation, the extra attention is needed to get accurate results.
For the finite element problem has some steps for structural mechanics problems.
Those steps are; defining the problem and its domain, discretizing the domain into
subdomains, determining state variable –generally displacement for structural
problems-, formulation of the problem, solving the set of equations, and commenting
on results (MacKay, 2007).

3.2 Formulation for Finite Element Method for Linear Buckling Analysis

The Eigenvalue analysis is performed as linear buckling analysis. At the end of the
eigenvalue analysis, the bifurcation load and bifurcation buckling mode can be known
but the value of the deformation cannot be known. The eigenvalue that calculated via

21
eigenvalue analysis is the critical buckling load factor and eigenvector is the buckling
mode. The linear buckling analysis is performed with two step. In the first step, the
linear static analysis is performed to the structure that is subjected to the loading. The
second step is the eigenvalue analysis (MacKay, 2007).
The analysis is based on the equation below.
[𝐾]{𝐷} = {𝑅} (3.1)
where [𝐾] is the global stiffness matrix, {𝐷} is the displacement, and {𝑅} is the external
load.
When finite element analysis is performed for linear bifurcation buckling, the load
which is applied to the cylinder is an external load with arbitrary reference level,
{𝑅}𝑟𝑒𝑓 . The membrane stresses in the shell is found from the standard linear analysis.
Also, [𝐾𝜎 ]𝑟𝑒𝑓 , is the stiffness matrix that found from the stress which is related with
the reference level of the external load. The reference load of stiffness matrix should
be multiplied with that arbitrary scalar, λ to obtain the actual value.
[𝐾𝜎 ] = 𝜆[𝐾𝜎 ]𝑟𝑒𝑓 (3.2)
{𝑅} = 𝜆{𝑅}𝑟𝑒𝑓 (3.3)
where [𝐾𝜎 ] is the stress stiffness matrix, λ is the scalar multiplier, [𝐾𝜎 ]𝑟𝑒𝑓 is the
reference stress stiffness matrix (geometric stiffness matrix) , {𝑅} is the external load,
and {𝑅}𝑟𝑒𝑓 is the reference external load.
𝐾𝜎 is a matrix which is dependent of an element geometry, state of the membrane, and
displacement. However, it is independent from the material. The global stiffness
martix does not includes the effect of the load (Mackay, 2007). The geometric stiffness
matrix allows adding the effect of the external load in the analysis. At the bifurcation
point, buckling happens without a variance in the external load (Knudsen & Thorup,
2016).
([𝐾] + 𝜆𝑐𝑟 [𝐾𝜎 ]𝑟𝑒𝑓 ){𝐷}𝑟𝑒𝑓 = 𝜆𝑐𝑟 {𝑅}𝑟𝑒𝑓 (3.4)

Where 𝜆𝑐𝑟 is the critical multiplier and {𝐷}𝑟𝑒𝑓 reference displacement. Then, write
buckling displacement in terms of the reference displacement. The equation becomes;
([𝐾] + 𝜆𝑐𝑟 [𝐾𝜎 ]𝑟𝑒𝑓 )(𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑓 + 𝛿𝐷) = 𝜆𝑐𝑟 {𝑅}𝑟𝑒𝑓 (3.5)
Equating that two equation gives;
([𝐾] + 𝜆𝑐𝑟 [𝐾𝜎 ]𝑟𝑒𝑓 )(𝛿𝐷) = 0 (3.6)

22
This equation is an eigenvalue problem. This equation is solved for 𝜆𝑐𝑟 . The smallest
root of the equation is the smallest level of the external load at bifurcation happens.
This can be expressed as;
{𝑅}𝑐𝑟 = 𝜆𝑐𝑟 {𝑅}𝑟𝑒𝑓 (3.7)
The eigenvector is {𝛿𝐷} and it is the buckling mode with suitable eigenvalue, 𝜆𝑐𝑟 .

3.3 ABAQUS Analysis

The analysis is made on ABAQUS 6.14.1.

3.3.1 Analysis Procedure

For the analysis, the procedure is given below.

 The cylinder is modeled as shell.
 Section properties and property of aluminum is assigned.
 In the assembly module, the instance is created.
 The step is created for the buckling analysis.
 In the load module, the 1 N concentrated force is applied to the reference node
which is created in the middle of the one of the cylinder and simply supported
boundary conditions is applied to both ends.
 For the meshing, different element size and types are studied.
 The Job is created and it submitted.
 The results are obtained.

3.3.2 Loads

When the analysis are made, the value of eigenvalue is a dimensionless parameter.To
calculate the critical buckling load value, the force is applied to the structure is
multiplied by the eigenvalue. Since the aim is calculating the critical value, the
smallest eigenvalue is taken consentration. For the simplicity, the applied load on the
cylinder is 1 N of concentrated force to get directly critical value form the eigenvalue.
The concentrated load is applied to a reference point at the center point of the edge of
the one ends. This node is linked to the edge of the end with multi point constraint via
tie type.

23
3.3.3 Boundary Conditions

The formulas for the critical buckling is derived with the consideration of simply
supported boundary condition. Therefore, the rotations in all directions is free at both
ends and the displacements are bounded at the one end in all directions, at the end
which is subjected to loading, the displacements are bounded in x and y directions.

3.3.4 Constraints

To apply concentrated force at the node middle of one end of the cylinder, this node
should be linked to the nodes of the edge of the cylinder. Thus, the constrain types are
investigated and the Multi Point Constraint (MPC) is chosen as the most suitable one.
This constraint provides to link the motion of the master node to the slave nodes).
(ABAQUS, 2014).

3.3.5 Mesh

The Mesh density has an important effect on the accuracy of the results of finite
element analysis. The effect of mesh can be investigated in terms of mesh density
(element size), or element type. In the analysis, since the geometry is cylindrical, the
swept mesh is used to get more proper mesh shape.

3.3.5.1 Mesh Density

When the element size is decreased, the result of the FEM becomes more accurate.
However, when the fine mesh is used, the computational power is high. Increasing
number of elements also increases the complexity so, small element size is used when
the high accuracy is needed. In the buckling analysis, using fine mesh is recommended
to get accurate critical load. In the table below, the effect of element size on the first
eigenvalue and the percentage error form the analytical result is given.
Table 3.1: Effect of element size.

Element Size First Eigenvalue Percentage Error Total CPU time

15x15 66045 % 0.36 533 s
20x20 66181 % 0.16 85.2 s
30x30 66835 % 0.82 26.9 s
50x50 67870 % 2.33 2.4 s
100x100 80433 % 21.34 1.1 s

24
 Effect of Mesh Density
600 25

Percentage Error From Ananlitic

500
20

400

calculation
CPU time

15
300
time
10
200 error
5
100

0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Element Size(mm)

Figure 3.1: Effect of mesh density.

As it is expected, when the mesh size is getting smaller, the first eigenvalue is closer
to the theoretical critical value. However, the computation time is increasing. The
suitable mesh size can be determinded with a limit error value. Common limit value
for error in the analysis is one percentage (MacKay, 2007). Although the error is
smaller than 1% for 30x30 mesh size and smaller elements, the 15x15 mesh size is
chosen to see correct buckling shape.
3.3.5.2 Element Type
In the ABAQUS, the shell element types can be divided into two as 4-node elements
and 8-node elements. Four-node elements are called as S4, S4R, S4R5 and Eight-node
elements are called as S8, S8R, S8R5. In the element name, R represents the reduced
integration. Also, 5 represents that the element has 5 degrees of freedom. If there is no
5 in the element name is refers that the element has 6 degrees of freedom. In Figure
3.2, a quadrilateral shape is shown (ABAQUS, 2014).

25
 Figure 3.2: Shell element.
For the quadrilateral elements, it is possible to be a 4-node linear element or 8-node
quadratic element. In the analysis, the cylindrical shell which has curved structures.
Therefore, using linear element can cause the decrease of the accuracy while quadratic
elements provides cuving of the shell element with the help of the 8-node structure
(Knudsen & Thorup, 2016). Therefore, to see more realistic buckling shape and getting
closer to the theoretical value, S8R can be used. The buckling shape with S4R and S8R
element type is given in Figure 3.3 and 3.4 respectively.

Figure 3.3: The buckling shape of the thin cylinder with S4R element.

26
 Figure 3.4: The buckling shape of the thin cylinder with S8R element.

In the analysis with S4R element, the first eigen value is 66820 while analysis with
S8R element gives 66045 first eigenvalue. According to that result, the error with S4R
is 0.80 and error with S8R is 0.36. Since the load is 1N, the first eigenvalues give
directly the critical value.

3.3.6 Effect of the ring and stringer

To increase the critical load some methods can be used. One of these methods is adding
some stiffeners to the structure. These stringers can be design in different shapes. On
this study to see how much increase is gained in the critical load, the stringers and
rings are added to the cylinder structure. The expected behavior is that the stringer
stiffened cylinder provides higher critical load than the ring stiffened cylinder under
the axial loading condition.

27
 Figure 3.5: Stringer stiffened cylinder.

Figure 3.5 shows the buckling of the cylinder which has 6 stringers. When the
comparison is made with the unstiffened shell, it can observed that the both wave
numbers, in circumferential and longitudinal direction, are decreasing. It shows that
the strength to the buckling is increasing. Moreover, the critical load which the
structure can stand is increased from to 66045 to 92428. It means almost 40 percentage
increase in the critical load value. The stringers modeled as its cross-section is 5x5 mm
square shape. Since the stringers are thin structures, they are modeled as shell
elements. However, the beam element can also be used.

Figure 3.6: Ring stiffened cylinder.

28
Figure 3.6 shows the buckling shape of the ring stiffened cylinder. As it is seen, the
buckling mode shape turns from global to local buckling shape. Three rings are placed
at 250 mm, 500 mm, and 750 mm distance from the edge of the cylinder. The ring has
5 mm depth end height. As the result of the analysis, the critical load value is increased
to 66355 N from 66045 N. The reason why the increase is small is the rings do not
carry the applied load.

3.3.7 Effect of internal pressure

When the internal pressure is applied for axially compressed circular cylindrical shell
in ABAQUS, the pressure load should be applied in a static step. The pressure load is
applied to inside of the cylinder whose properties are given in the section 2.4.
The pressure load applied inside of the cylinder provides more resistance to the
buckling load. Therefore, the expected behavior of buckling load is increasing. When
the structure is subjected to the 10 MPa of pressure, the first eigenvalue becomes
86694. It corresponds 31% increase in the critical buckling load. The corresponding
buckling shape is given in Figure 3.7. For different pressure values the analysis is made
and the buckling shapes and critical load is given with Figure 3.7 and Figure 3.8.

(a)
(b)

(c) (d)

29
 (e)

Figure 3.7: Buckling of cylinder subjected to inner pressure and axial compression.
(a) 1 MPa (b) 3MPa (c) 5MPa (d) 8MPa (e) 10MPa.

Internal Pressure Effect

85000

80000
Critical Buckling Load (N)

75000

70000

65000

60000
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Pressure (MPa)

Figure 3.8: Change in critical load with the internal pressure.

As it is expected the critical value is increasing with the increasing of the inerternal
pressure of axially compressed cylinder. Also buckling wave number in the
circumferential direction is decreasing. Also, the buckling pattern is decreasing a lot
for the huge pressure in the cylinder.

3.3.8 Effect of the length of the cylinders

As it is discussed before, the length of the cylinder is influence of the buckling shape
of the cylinder. When the Badfort parameter, Z is below the 2.85 the buckling shape
has one half wave through its length. Also, for the cylinder that has greater Z value

30
 2𝑟 2
than 2.85 and below the 1.2 ( 𝑡 ) √3(1 − 𝜇 2 ) has the buckling shape of the diamond

2𝑟 2
shape. When the cylinder has greater Z value than 1.2 ( 𝑡 ) √3(1 − 𝜇 2 ), the buckling

behavior changes to the Euler Column buckling. Figure 3.9 shows this behaviors.
Although the length of the cylinder has an effect of the buckling load, when the middle
length cylinders are considered, the length has only influence on the buckling shape
not the buckling load as it is seen the critical load value of the moderately long
cylinder equation which is repeated below.
2𝜋𝐸𝑡 2 (3.8)
𝑁𝑐𝑟 = 𝜎2𝜋𝑅𝑡 =
√3(1 − 𝜇 2 )

(b)
(a)

(c)
Figure 3.9: Effect of the length (a) L=10 mm (b) L=100 mm (c) L=10000 mm.

31
 Table 3.2: Effect of length on critical buckling load.
Length(mm) Numeric Analytic
10 11883 11633
100 65798 66289
10000 10669 10697

3.3.9 Effect of thicknesss of the cylinders

For the medium length cylinder, the critical buckling stress formula is;
𝐸𝑡 (3.9)
𝜎=
𝑅√3(1 − 𝜇2)
For calculate the critical axially applied load value;
2𝜋𝐸𝑡 2 (3.10)
𝑁𝑐𝑟 = 𝜎2𝜋𝑅𝑡 =
√3(1 − 𝜇 2 )
As it is seen in the formula, buckling load depends only on the thickness of the cylinder
for the medium length cylinders. The length is important for the long cylinders which
perform Euler behavior.

Table 3.3: Effect of thickness on the critical buckling load.

Thickness (mm) Numeric (N) Analytic (N) n m

0.5 66045 66289 14 6

1 2.56714x105 2.65158x105 12 7
2 9.88210x105 1.0606x106 8 4
3 2.15402x106 2.386424x106 8 5
4 3.67282x106 4.242531x106 6 3
5 5.58419x106 6.628955x106 6 3

According to ABAQUS 6.14.1 results, all thickness above, the buckling mode
behavior is diamond shape buckling as it is expected.

32
 Effect of the thickness
Thickness (mm)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
7000000

6000000

5000000
Critical Force(N)

4000000

3000000

2000000

1000000

Numeric Analitic

Figure 3.10: Effect of the thickness.

3.3.10 Verification

The actual verification is made with comparing with the theoretical value. Also, the
cylinder in a paper which is ‘A Study of the Effect of the Imperfections on Buckling
Capability in Thin Cylindrical Shells Under Axial Loading’ written by Lauren Kougias
(2009).

(a) (b)

Figure 3.11: Comparison of buckling shape (a) from the study (b) made for this study.

33
As it seen in Figure 3.11, the same buckling mode shapes are gained. The critical load
that found from the paper is 1460224 Ib, while the found value for this study is
1358173 Ib and the theoretical value is 1455592 Ib. It can be sourced from the small
imperfections which is added to the model in the paper.
Another paper called ‘Buckling strength of the cylindrical shell and tank subjected to
axially compressive loads’ written by Seung-Eock Kim and Chang-Sung Kim is used
for verification (Kim & Kim ,2002) (Kim & Kim, 2002). The cylinder is modelled
according to the properties in the paper (L=40 m, D=20 m, t=0.025m, E=200 GPa,
µ=0.3) . The critical value is found 4.75010x108 N while it is calculated as
4.5766721x108 N. However, the theoratical value of the critical load is 4.75345x108
N. Therefore, the analysis in this study gives more accurate result than the paper which
is used for verification.
For the composite buckling verification, the thesis which is ‘İnce Cidarli Silindirik
Kompozit Kabuklarin Eksenel Yükleme Durumunda Burkulma Davranişlarinin
Analitik Ve Sonlu Eleman Yöntemleri İle İncelenmesi’ written by Razi KALANTARI
OSGOUEI (2015). In this thesis, a code is written for optimum ply angles and the
composite is modeled with this angles. Also, the analytical calculation is made with
the help of a code. The numerical result for the 0.01 m mesh size is found in the paper
as 4.71228x105 N and the analytic calculation is 4.32194x105 N. From the model that
is made for the verification, the critical load is found 4.28154x105 N. Although the
value is not exactly the same, it is closer than the obtained in the thesis. The buckling
shape in the paper and the found shape is given in Figure 3.12.

Figure 3.12: Verification of the composite buckling.

34
3.3.11 Inertia relief
Inertia relief load is used for the simulate unconstrained structures like the aircraft,
satellite, missile, and solar sail (Liao, 2011). This type of loading can be used static,
dynamic, or buckling step in ABAQUS. When the inertia relief load is applied to the
structure, it causes to balancing the external loads or moments. While the rocket is
modeled and the inertia relief load is applied, the gained eigenvalue gives the critical
thrust that the structure starts to buckle (ABAQUS, 2014).

Figure 3.13: Buckling shape with inertia relief load.

Figure 3.14: The thrust direction.

35
In the Figure 3.13, the buckling shape is illustrated. When the analysis is performed,the
forces is applied to one end of the cylinder as in Figure 3.14. If the cylinder is
considered as a missile, the direction of the flight is in the –z direction. Thereofore,
the buckled shape of the cylinder in the Figure 3.13 is expected.
The resulted critical load is 281.61 N. When the cylinder is considered as a missile,
this value is the critical thrust value. It is a low value for a missile but it can be sourced
from the lack of the stiffeners, very thin wall thickness, and the internal pressure.
Moreover, it can be sourced from the lower strength of geometry and material of the
cylinder than the actual case for a missile.
For the verification, the reaction force on the nodes at the load applied end is checked
and the total reaction force is not zero but it is close to the zero because of the balance
between the applied load and the inertia relief load. The total reaction force in the z
direction is found 31.24x10-6 N which is a negligible value.

3.3.12 Buckling of composite structure

Nowadays, the composite materials take place in the most area in terms of high
strength in the desired direction. Therefore, for the buckling problem, we expect that
the critical load is increased if the optimum conditions such as stacking sequence is
provided. Since the effect of the material orientation is high, the effect of the stacking
sequence is investigated. For the analysis, the geometrical properties of the cylinder is
the same with aluminum cylinder mentioned before. The material properties of the
cylinder is E1=139310 MPa, E2=13103 MPa, E3= MPa, υ12=0.3, G12= G13= G23=
5034.5 MPa, ρ= 1.59 g/cm3. The material properties are taken from a paper which is
written by Dan Wang and Mostafa Abdalla (2016). The composite is made in different
stacking sequence. The first mode shapes are represented in Figure 3.15 and the
corresponding critical values are given in Table 3.4. The stacking sequences are chosen
arbitrary.
Table 3.4: Stacking sequence and critical load with same thickness.
Stacking sequence Critical Load (N)
0/90/0/90/0 28895
45/90/0/90/45 24454
45/-45/0/-45/45 30095
60/-60/0/-60/60 33141

36
 (a)

(b)

(c)

(d)
Figure 3.15: First mode shape of composite cylinder buckling for different angle
(a)0/90/0/90/0 (b)45/90/0/90/45 (c)45/-45/0/-45/45 (d)60/-60/0/-
60/60.

37
When the model is established, the thickness of the plies is assigned as 0.1 mm to get 0.5
mm for total thickness of the cylinder. As it is seen from the critical value, the most
increase is 35 percentage between the lowest and highest value. Although the optimization
study is not performed, high increase of the critical value is gained.Although the composite
has lower critical value than the aluminum cylinder, the mass of the composite cylinder is
lower. Thus, there is a need for the analysis with the same mass. To have the same mass
with the aluminum, the thickness of the composite cylinder is need to be 0.8490 mm
approximately (0.1698 mm for each layer). The buckling load with this thickness is given
in the table 3.5.

Table 3.5: Stacking sequence and critical load with same mass.

Stacking sequence Critical Load (N)

0/90/0/90/0 72495
45/90/0/90/45 74696
45/-45/0/-45/45 86724
60/-60/0/-60/60 95336

As it can seen from the table 3.5, when the buckling load of the composite cylinder is
increased from 66045 to 95336 N, which corresponds 44% increase. If an optimization
of stacking sequence is made, this value may be increased more.

Table 3.6: Comparison of the critical loads for same mass and same thickness

Stacking sequence Critical load for same Critical load for same
thickness (N) mass (N)
0/90/0/90/0 28895 72495
45/90/0/90/45 24454 74696
45/-45/0/-45/45 30095 86724
60/-60/0/-60/60 33141 95336

The table 3.6 is made for the comparison of the buckling load of the composite shells,
which has same mass and same thickness of the aluminum shell cylinder. Since the
only difference between the cylinders is the thickness, the table actually indicates the
thickness change for the composite shells. As it shown in the table 3.6 the increase in

38
thickness in the composite shells have very huge increase. For the stacking sequence
0/90/0/90/0, the critical load of the 0.5 mm-thick cylinder is about 40 percentage of
the 0.86 mm-thick cylinder. This increase for aluminum cylinder is expected 45
percentage from the theoretical formula. Although the aluminum has greater increase,
the percentages are not too different.

39
40
4. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

The aim of the experimental study is seeing the real behavior under axial compression
loading. Thanks to experiment, the reduction in the critical load and the difference in
the buckling shape is observed. The test gives the chance to realize that what can be
possible imperfections in the test setup. In Figure 4.1, the test setup can be seen.

Test
Speciment

Figure 4.1: Test setup.

4.1 Test Specimens

As the test specimens, beverage cans are used. The test is made with slim 250 ml cans.
The material of these cans is 3004 Aluminum alloy and the lid material is 5068
Aluminum alloy (Soda-Drinks, 2017). Before the test, the specimens top and bottom
parts are cut out, but the lid material is not removed.

41
 Table 4.1: Material properties of the can.

Property/Material Al 3004 Al 5068

Young’s modulus 70 GPa 69.6 GPa
Poissons ratio 0.33 0.33

Table 4.2: Geometric properties of the test specimens.

Property/Test Specimen 250 ml
Length(mm) 134.78

Diameter(mm) 51.54
Thickness(mm) 0.1

4.2 Test Equipments

4.2.1 Testing machine

For the compression test, MST 322 test frame is used. The load capacity of this test
machine is 100 kN. The speed of the machine is adjusted as 0.005 m/m.min as it is
recommended in ASTM E9 test standards .

4.2.2 Computer program

The speed and the required data numbers inputed to the computer program. As the
output, the program gives the the axial displacement and the applied force value are
read and recorded.

4.2.3 Angle measurement device

When the specimens are prepared, some geometric damages can be occur. If the top
part of the specimens is not parallel to the floor, then the applied load is not only axial
compression but also additional moment will be applied. To eliminate this possibility,
angle measurement device is used and if a specimen is not straight, then it is not used.

42
 Figure 4.2: Angle measurement device.

4.3 Test procedure

Firstly, the specimens prepared as the top and bottom parts are cut out and the
specimens’ angle is measured to be sure that the specimens are not incline. Then, the
specimen is placed to the test machine as it is seen in Figure 4.1 and the plates are
placed to the under and over side of the specimens. The upper part is pulled down until
reading a force value and the displacement in this position is set to zero. After that, the
machine is started with the speed of 0.005 m/min. The data are recorded.

4.4 Test results

The gained buckling shape is given in the Figure 4.3 and corresponding critical values
are given in the table 4.1. Moreover, the load displacement curves for each specimens
are given in the appendix B. The average of the critical load values is 590 N.

43
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

44
(e) (f)

(g) (h)

45
 (i)

Figure 4.3: Buckling shape of the specimens (a)250-1 (b)250-2 (c) 250-3 (d)250-4
(e) 250-5(f)250-6 (g)250-7 (h)250-8 (i)250-9.

Table 4.3: Measured critical load.

Test Specimen Critical
Value
250-1 615
250-2 517
250-3 443
250-4 404
250-5 553
250-6 666
250-7 617
250-8 833
250-9 662
Although the average value of the critical load obtained from the experiments is
about 600 N. 833 N is obtained as the highest value.

4.5 FEM results

The test specimens are modeled in ABAQUS 6.14-1. For simulating the boundary
condition in the test, the plates under and over sides of the cylinder is modeled and the
multi point constrain (MPC) is used to link the point of the plate and the edge of the
shell. Also, the contact relations are defined between the lid materials and the plate

46
surface and the friction is defined between the plate and the shell. Friction coefficient
defined as 0.5.
The critical load is obtained from the analysis overestimates the real value with a huge
difference. When the experiment performed, the eccentricity can occurs. To be able to
understand the effect of the load eccentricity, the analysis is made with a load, which
is applied with 10 mm-offset in both x and y directions. In this case, the estimated
critical value is 1238 N. The analysis is still overestimates the buckling load but it is
the expected behavior because the other kind of imperfection occurs during the
experiment. Those imperfections can be sourced by the geometrical imperfections like
nonuniform thickness, the material imperfections like not to have isotropic material.
Furthermore, the damage that occurs the specimen preparation state causes to buckle
at the damaged point with a lower buckling load. Moreover, if a part of the specimen
has a dent, then the buckling is starts from that point with a lower buckling load.
The buckling shape, which is found with linear eigenvalue analysis with using the
ABAQUS 6.14-1, is given in Figure 4.4. The shapes are obtained form the experiment
is the post buckling shape because the load is continued after the first buckling occurs.
Therefore, for the more realistic results the nonlinear analysis should be made.

Figure 4.4: Numeric buckling shape with force offset.

4.6 Comparison of FEM results and experimental data

Since the buckling is sensitive phenomena to imperfections, the expected result is that
the critical load obtained from the experiment is higher than the numerical value which
assumes to the conditions are perfect. In the reality, the imperfections may be sourced

47
by the manufacturing process, non-homogeneity of the material, load eccentiricity and,
geometric imperfections (nonuniform shell thickness, uncirculated cross section etc.).
The percentage error with the FEM results and the highest experimental critical load
is 32%.
As it seen in previous section, there is a difference with the buckling shapes because
of the requirement of the nonlinear analysis. Moreover, since the model is made with
the eccentricity of the load, the effect of eccentricity is seen in Figure 4.4. However,
when the experimental shape is investigated, the shape is like diamond shape pattern
as it is expected for the middle length cylinders. If the Batdorf parameter is calculated,
it is seen that the test specimens are in the class of middle length cylinder.

48
5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In this study, the buckling behavior of the circular cylindrical shell structures are
investigated. First of all, the buckling phenomena for shell structures are investigated.
After the theoretical background is completed, the analysis are started to perform. First
analyses are made for optimizing the result of the analysis. Then, different cases that
can be met in real life is started to adding the analyses. In addition to these analyses,
the experiments are performed and the experiment is modeled.
From this study, some results are obtained. This can be listed as below.
 Buckling is very sensitive to the imperfections. From the amount of
difference between the experimental and numeric results, it is understood that
the buckling is very imperfection sensitive. Also, from the difference between
the load applied to the symmetric and with the load eccentricity, the load
eccentricity has an important role on the buckling of axially compressed shells.
 The dimensions do not have very huge importance. Since the buckling load
formula for the middle length of cylinder is not includes radius or length term,
it is only depends on thickness and material properties.
 Buckling load affects from internal pressure. Adding internal pressure, it
helps to increase the critical load. Moreover, the buckling mode number in the
circumferential direction is decreasing.
 To have more buckling strength, the some rings or stringer can be added
to the structure. If the load is applied in axial direction as in this study, the
benefit of the stringer will be higher. In this study with 6 pieces 5x5 mm
stringer is modeled and the buckling load is increased 40 percentage.
 Alternatively, the composite material is used in terms of the stiffeners if
the other conditions are suitable for using composite material. The gain in
the buckling strength will be huge when the optimum stacking sequence and
the suitable composite material is applied. In this study, gain in the buckling
strength is 44 percentage. However, although even that increase is high, with
an optimization study of some parameters such as the number of layers,

49
 thickness of the layers, composite materials, stacking sequence, this increase
can be higher.
For the future work, the other loading types can be investigated or for a loading
scenarios, a cylinder can be design. An optimization study can be performed for the
composite material. Since the buckled cylinder still can carry load, the postbuckling
study can be performed. Also, there is a lack in the hybrid cylinders buckling is
determined. Therefore, the hybrid buckling can be studied.

50
REFERENCES

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Committee for Aeronautics.

Bushnell, D. (2012). Computerized Buckling Analysis of Shells. California: Springer

Science &Business Media.

Chajes, A. (1974). Principles of Structural Stability Theory. New Jersey: Prentice-

Hall, İnc.

Donnell, L. H. (1933). Stability of Thin-Walled Tubes Under Torsion. Washington

D.C.: National Advisory Committie for Aeronautics.

Donnell, L. H. (1934). A New Theory for the Buckling of Thin Cylindrical Under
Axial Compression and Bending. Transaction of the American Society of
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Flugge, W. (1934). Statik und Dynamik der Schalen Julius Springer.

Jones, R. M. (2006). Buckling of bars, plates, and shells. Virgina: Bull Ridge
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Durumunda Burkulma Davranişlarinin Analitik Ve Sonlu Eleman Yöntemleri
İle İncelenmesi.

Karman, T. V., & Tsien, H.-S. (1941). The Buckling of Thin Cylindrical Shells
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Kim, S. E., & Kim, C. S. (2002). Buckling Strength of the cylindrical Shell and
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Knudsen, K., & Thorup, M. (2016). Buckling of Steel Shell Structures Master
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Koiter, W. T. (1970). On the Mathematical Foundation of Shell Theory. Delft

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Liao, L. (2011). A Study of Inertia Relief Analysis. 52nd Structural Dynamics and
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Logan, D. L. (2012). A First Course in the Finite Element Method. Cengage

Learning.

Love, A. E. (1924). The Mathematical Theory of Elasticity. Cambridge University

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MacKay, J. R. (2007). Structural Analysis and Design of Pressure Hulls: the State
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Slettum, E. (2013). A Semi-Analytical Model for Buckling of Stiffened Cylindrical

Shells. Oslo: University of Olso .

Southwell, R. (1914). On the General Theory of Elastic Stability. Philosophical

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Subramani, T., & Sugathan, A. (2012). Finite Element Analysis of Thin Walled
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Timoshenko, S. P., & Gere, J. M. (1963). Theory of Elastic Stability. California:

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Url-1 < http://soda-drinks.com/index.php?topic=soda_drink_04> date retrieved

29.11.2017.

Url-2< https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mechanical-engineering/2-081j-plates-and-shells-
spring-2007/readings/lecturenote.pdf> date retrieved 15.10.2017

Url-3< https://shellbuckling.com/index.php> date retrieved 21.11.2017

52
APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Mode Shape of the Circular Cylindrical Shell

APPENDIX B: Load Displacement Curve of the Test Specimens

53
APPENDIX A

(b)
(a)

(c)
(d)

Figure A.1 : Buckling Shapes: (a)1st eigenmode. (b)2nd eigenmode. (c)3rdeigenmode.

(d)4theigenmode.

54
Table A.1 : Eigenvalues corresponding to eigenmodes.
Mode Number Eigenvalue
1 66045
2 66072
3 66144
4 66186
5 66252

55
APPENDIX B

250-1
700

600

500

400
Load (N)

300

200

100

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-100
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.1: Load Displacement Curve of 250-1.

250-2
600

500

400
Load (N)

300

200

100

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-100
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.2: Load Displacement Curve of 250-2.

56
 250-3
500
450
400
350
300
Load(N)

250
200
150
100
50
0
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.3: Load Displacement Curve of 250-3.

250-4
450
400
350
300
250
Load (N)

200
150
100
50
0
-1 -50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.4: Load Displacement Curve of 250-4.

57
 250-5
600

500

400

300
Load (N)

200

100

0
-0,5 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4

-100
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.5: Load Displacement Curve of 250-5.

250-6
700

600

500

400
Load (N)

300

200

100

0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3
-100
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.6: Load Displacement Curve of 250-6.

58
 250-7
700

600

500

400
Load (N)

300

200

100

0
-0,5 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3
-100
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.7: Load Displacement Curve of 250-7.

250-8
900
800
700
600
Load (N)

500
400
300
200
100
0
0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4 4,5
Displacement (mm)

Figure B.8: Load Displacement Curve of 250-8.

59
 250-9
700

600

500

400
Load (N)

300

200

100

0
-0,5 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3
-100
Displacement(mm)

Figure B.9: Load Displacement Curve of 250-9.

60