Two decades of research on the stability of steel shell structures at the University of Essen (1985–2005): Experiments, evaluations, and impact on design standards

Abstract

In this article, the author looks back on the shell buckling research activities during his 20 years as Full Professor for Steel Structures at the University of Essen, Germany. The main research projects of that time are described very shortly. They included unstiffened circular cylindrical shells under external pressure or meridional compression or combined loading, made of structural or stainless steel at ambient or high temperatures, optionally with wall openings. Stiffened circular cylindrical shells under external pressure or meridional compression were also dealt with, as well as unstiffened conical shells, either as part of cone/cylinder assemblies or as individual truncated cones. Furthermore, the special case of very thin-walled open cylindrical tank shells was investigated under axisymmetric external pressure or wind-like pressure distribution or transverse shear. All projects combined realistic experiments on steel specimens with comparative or enhancing numerical investigations, and all of them were aimed at contributing directly to the improvement of practical shell stability design rules. Last but not least, it is reported on early efforts to develop guidelines for shell buckling design by global numerical analysis, and the author’s credo argued that physical experiments are still indispensable in practice-oriented structural research, particularly in a complex field like shell stability. The article has been written in honor of John Michael Rotter, Professor Emeritus of the University of Edinburgh, who will celebrate his 70th birthday in October 2018.