Buckling strength of cylindrical shell subjected to thermal and mechanical loadings

The results of thermal buckling tests and elasto-plastic stress analysis for the cylinder subjected to axial temperature gradient and axial mechanical tension are described. The thermal buckling tests were carried out using a test model whose radius-to-thickness ratio was 200. The elasto-plastic stress analyses using the three-dimensional shell model have been carried out to investigate the effects of initial imperfection. The results of the tests have shown that the cylinder has structural integrity against thermal buckling. The effects of the initial imperfection on the stability of the cylinder have been found to be negligible. (author). 4 refs., 13 figs., 3 tabs