On the buckling of thin walled cylinders loaded in axial compression

Abstract

Collapse loads for thin walled cylinders loaded in axial compression can be estimated by considering the buckling failure of equivalent space frames. These loads are presented in the form of a design chart where the collapse load for any cylinder can be determined provided the radius to thickness ratio of the cylinder and the size of the shape defects in the cylinder are known. It is demonstrated how these defects can be evaluated by an optical examination of a proof loaded cylinder. There is good agreement between estimated collapse loads for cylinders with known shape defects and measured collapse loads.