Buckling of curved panels under combined shear and compression

Abstract

The analytical work which has been carried out to determine the buckling load and post-buckling behaviour of curved panels under various types of loading and different boundary conditions is not as comprehensive as that for flat plates. Only elementary loading and boundary conditions have been analysed. In addition to this, many of the theories developed have not been tested experimentally. This paper outlines a series of tests carried out to determine the accuracy of the theoretical buckling loads. The experimental results are then used to examine whether or not finite element analysis can be used as an alternative to determine collapse loads and post-buckling behaviour, especially in cases where no theoretical solutions exist.