The Failure of Double-Skinned, Composite, Circular Cylindrical Shells under External Pressure

Abstract

In addition to the tests previously reported (1)†, ten further double-skinned composite shells of imperfect geometry were collapsed under external pressure. This paper seeks to relate the performance of the shells to their theoretical strength and stability failure pressures. One of the conclusions is that this type of shell can be confidently designed to withstand pressures equal to or, if required, greater than the pressure required to cause yielding of the steel membranes in the circumferential direction.