A Simple Composite Construction for Cylindrical Shells Subjected to External Pressure

Abstract

A composite form of wall construction for externally pressurized cylindrical vessels is described, analysed and illustrated by experimental testing. It consists of two, thin steel membranes with an intervening filler which continues to carry load after the membranes have yielded. The wall has a high bending stiffness, making it less sensitive to initial imperfections and less susceptible to unpredictable failure by instability than the conventional rib-stiffened shell. This composite form fails eventually by strength failure of the filler, which is highly predictable. Theoretical predictions of the elastic and elastic-plastic behaviour agree well with experimental results.