The effects of axisymmetric initial geometric imperfections on the buckling pressures of externally pressurized steel elastic toroidal shells of elliptical cross-section are studied in this paper. The shapes of the axisymmetric localized imperfections are increased-radius circular ‘flat spots’ and smooth dimples. In most cases, the locations of the imperfections are at the north (Φ = 180°) and south (Φ = 0°) poles of the cross-section. The main shells investigated are prolate ellipses having k(≡ a/b) = 1.5, R/b = 4 and 10 and b/t = 50, 100 and 500. Some studies of shells with k = 2.0 and 2.5 and k = 0.833 (an oblate ellipse) are also included.
GalletlyG. D.Elastic buckling of imperfect circular toroidal shells under external pressure. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part E, Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, 1998, 212 (E3), 197–209.
2.
BlachutJ.JaiswalO. R.On the choice of initial geometric imperfections in externally pressurised shells. Trans. ASME J. Pressure Vessel Technology, February 1999, 121, 71–76.
3.
CombescureA.Static and dynamic buckling of large thin shells. Nucl. Engng Des., 1986, 92, 339–354.
4.
BushnellD.BOSOR5—program for buckling of elastic-plastic complex shells of revolution including large deflections and creep. Computers and Structs, 1976, 6, 211–239.
5.
GalletlyG. D.BlachutJ.Stability of complete circular and non-circular toroidal shells. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part C, Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 1995, 209 (C4), 245–255.
6.
GalletlyG. D.Elastic buckling of complete toroidal shells of elliptical cross-section subjected to uniform internal pressure. Thin-Walled Structs, 1998, 30 (1–4), 23–34.
7.
GalletlyG. D.CombescureA.Plastic buckling of internally-pressurised complete toroidal shells of elliptical cross-section. In Proceedings of the International Conference onCarrying Capacity of Steel Shell Structures, Brno, Czech Republic, 1–3 October 1997, pp. 9–15.
