The influence of the Gaussian curvature sign of the compound shell structure’s middle surface on local and overall buckling under combined loading

Abstract

The buckling problem of an elastic compound shell structure with a variable Gaussian curvature of the middle surface, especially the middle surface meridian curvature sign, under the action of external pressure and axial loading is considered. In continuation of the previous research of the authors, this paper is devoted, in particular, to examining the influence of the negative Gaussian curvature sign of one of its compartments on stability. The solution is based on using the method of finite differences for basic stability equations of each compartment in the case when one of them can have a negative curvature of the meridian, taking into account the discreteness of the intermediate rib location and their rigidity from the initial curvature plane as well. The obtained solution allows visualizing the buckling modes under various combinations of external loading and identifying rational, according to overall buckling modes, geometric and rigidity parameters of the system being investigated.