Post-buckling behaviors of head plates subjected to external pressure. Influence of difference of thickness

In case structures form some boundary and are expected to keep some liquid or gas inside its boundary, it is very important to maintain the integrity of its boundary even if the external load becomes severe beyond the design basis level which prohibits buckling of structures. In this study we focused on the head plate structures subjected to external pressure. Pressure loading tests of some head plate test specimens by using hydraulic pressure loading unit were conducted. Also, detailed non-linear FEM analyses were implemented. Buckling behaviors and post-buckling behaviors of head plates, especially the influence of different thickness of test specimens were examined based on the test results and the numerical analysis results. (author)