RECOMMENDED PRACTICE

DNV-RP-C202

BUCKLING STRENGTH OF SHELLS

OCTOBER 2010

DET NORSKE VERITAS

FOREWORD
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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 3

October 2010

CHANGES

• General
As of October 2010 all DNV service documents are primarily published electronically.
In order to ensure a practical transition from the “print” scheme to the “electronic” scheme, all documents having incorporated
amendments and corrections more recent than the date of the latest printed issue, have been given the date October 2010.
An overview of DNV service documents, their update status and historical “amendments and corrections” may be found
through http://www.dnv.com/resources/rules_standards/.
• Main changes
Since the previous edition (October 2002), this document has been amended, most recently in April 2005. All changes have
been incorporated and a new date (October 2010) has been given as explained under “General”.

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4 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

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CONTENTS
1. Introduction .............................................................5
1.1 Buckling strength of shells ........................................5
1.2 Working Stress Design ..............................................5
1.3 Symbols and Definitions............................................5
1.4 Buckling modes .........................................................7
2. Stresses in Closed Cylinders ...................................9
2.1 General.......................................................................9
2.2 Stresses ......................................................................9
3. Buckling Resistance of Cylindrical Shells............11
3.1 Stability requirement................................................11
3.2 Characteristic buckling strength of shells ................11
3.3 Elastic buckling strength of unstiffened curved
panels .......................................................................11
3.4 Elastic buckling strength of unstiffened circular
cylinders...................................................................12
3.5 Ring stiffened shells ................................................13
3.6 Longitudinally stiffened shells.................................15
3.7 Orthogonally stiffened shells ...................................16
3.8 Column buckling .....................................................16
3.9 Torsional buckling ...................................................17
3.10 Local buckling of longitudinal stiffeners and ring
stiffeners ..................................................................18
4. Unstiffened Conical Shells.....................................20
4.1 Introduction .............................................................20
4.2 Stresses in conical shells..........................................20
4.3 Shell buckling ..........................................................21

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person for his proved direct loss or damage. However, the compensation shall not exceed an amount equal to ten times the fee charged for the service in question, provided that the maximum
compensation shall never exceed USD 2 million.
In this provision "Det Norske Veritas" shall mean the Foundation Det Norske Veritas as well as all its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, agents and any other acting on behalf of Det
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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 5

October 2010

The recommended methods for buckling analyses may be

1. Introduction substituted by more refined analyses or model tests taking
into account the real boundary conditions, the pre-buckling
1.1 Buckling strength of shells edge disturbances, the actual geometric imperfections, the
non-linear material behaviour, and the residual welding
This RP treats the buckling stability of shell structures based
stresses.
on the load and resistance factor design format (LRFD).
Chapter 2 gives the stress in closed cylinders. Chapter 3 Chapter 4 treats the buckling of unstiffened conical shells.
treats the buckling of circular cylindrical steel shells, see
Figure 1.1-1. The shell cylinder may be stiffened by
longitudinal stiffeners and/or ring frames. 1.2 Working Stress Design
This Recommended Practice is written in the load and
X resistance factor design format (LRFD format) to suit the
DNV Offshore Standard DNV-OS-C101. This standard
makes use of material- (resistance) and loadfactors as safety
1 N factors.
Q1
DNV-RP-C202 may be used in combination with working
M1 T P stress design format (WSD) by the following method:
θ
r For the formulas used in DNV-RP-C202, including eq. 3.1.3,
M2 use a material factor γM=1.15. The utilisation checks should
l
be made using a modified permissible usage factor
Q2 ηp=1.15βη0, see DNV-OS-C201 Sec. 2E Table E1 for η0 and
L l 2 Sec. 5C Table C1 for β.
LONGITUDINAL
STIFFENER
s 1.3 Symbols and Definitions
l σx RING FRAME
1.3.1 Symbols
σh
The following symbols are used and may not have a specific
τ
definition in the text where they appear:

Figure 1.1-1 Stiffened cylindrical shell A cross-sectional area of a longitudinal stiffener

(exclusive of shell flange)
It is assumed that the edges are effectively supported by ring Ac cross sectional area of complete cylinder section;
frames, bulkheads or end closures. including longitudinal stiffeners/internal
bulkheads if any
Stiffened circular cylindrical shells have to be dimensioned
against several buckling failure modes. The relevant modes Af cross sectional area of flange (=btf)
are defined in Section 1.3. To exclude local buckling of AR cross-sectional area of a ring frame (exclusive of
longitudinal stiffeners and rings, explicit requirements are shell flange)
given in Section 3.10
AReq required cross sectional area (exclusive of
In Table 1.3-1 reference is made to recommended methods effective plate flange) of ring frame to avoid
for buckling analysis with respect to different buckling panel ring buckling
modes. The methods are to be considered as semi-empirical.
Aw cross sectional area of web (=htw)
The reason for basing the design on semi-empirical methods
is that the agreement between theoretical and experimental C reduced buckling coefficient
buckling loads for some cases has been found to be non-
C1 coefficient
existent. This discrepancy is due to the effect of geometric
imperfections and residual stresses in fabricated structures. C2 coefficient
Actual geometric imperfections and residual stresses do not
in general appear as explicit parameters in the expressions E Young's modulus = 2.1⋅105 N/mm2
for buckling resistance. This means that the methods for shear modulus, G = E
buckling analysis are based on an assumed level of G
2(1 + ν )
imperfections. This level is reflected by the tolerance
requirements given in DNV OS-C401; Fabrication and I moment of inertia of a longitudinal stiffener
Testing of Offshore Structures. (exclusive of shell flange)
Ic moment of inertia of the complete cylinder
section (about weakest axis), including
longitudinal stiffeners/internal bulkheads if any
Ipo polar moment of inertia

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6 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

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IR effective moment of inertia of a ring frame fE elastic buckling strength

Isef moment of inertia of longitudinal stiffener fEa elastic buckling strength for axial force.
including effective shell width se
fEh elastic buckling strength for hydrostatic pressure,
It stiffener torsional moment of inertia (St. Venant lateral pressure and circumferential compression.
torsion).
fEm elastic buckling strength for bending moment.
Iz moment of inertia of a stiffeners neutral axis
fET elastic buckling strength for torsion.
normal to the plane of the plate
fEτ elastic buckling strength for shear force.
Ih minimum required moment of inertia of
ringframes inclusive effective shell flange in a fk characteristic buckling strength
cylindrical shell subjected to external lateral or
hydrostatic pressure fkc characteristic column buckling strength

Ix minimum required moment of inertia of fkcd design column buckling strength

ringframes inclusive effective shell flange in a fks characteristic buckling strength of a shell
cylindrical shell subjected to axial and/or bending
fksd design buckling strength of a shell
Ixh minimum required moment of inertia of
ringframes inclusive effective shell flange in a fr characteristic material strength
cylindrical shell subjected to torsion and/or shear fT torsional buckling strength
L distance between effective supports of the ring fy yield strength of the material
stiffened cylinder
h web height
Lc total cylinder length
hs distance from stiffener toe (connection between
LH equivalent cylinder length for heavy ring frame stiffener and plate) to the shear centre of the
MSd design bending moment stiffener.

M1, Sd design bending moment about principal axis 1 i radius of gyration

M2, Sd design bending moment about principal axis 2 ic radius of gyration of cylinder section

NSd design axial force ih effective radius of gyration of ring frame

inclusive affective shell flange
QSd design shear force
k effective length factor, column buckling
Q1,Sd design shear force in direction of principal axis 1
l distance between ring frames
Q2,Sd design shear force in direction of principal axis 2
le equivalent length
TSd design torsional moment
lef effective width of shell plating
L2
ZL = 1 − ν 2 , curvature parameter leo equivalent length
rt
lT torsional buckling length
l2
Zl = 1 - ν 2 , curvature parameter pSd design lateral pressure
rt
r shell radius
s2
Zs = 1 − ν 2 , curvature parameter re equivalent radius
rt
a Factor rf radius of the shell measured to the ring flange

b flange width, factor rr radius (variable)

bf flange outstand r0 radius of the shell measured to the neutral axis of

ring frame with effective shell flange, leo
c Factor
s distance between longitudinal stiffeners
e distance from shell to centroid of ring frame
exclusive of any shell flange se effective shell width

ef flange eccentricity t shell thickness

fak reduced characteristic buckling strength tb thickness of bulkhead

fakd design local buckling strength te equivalent thickness

tf thickness of flange

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tw thickness of web A Centroid of ring frame with effective shell flange,

leo
w initial out-of roundness
zt distance from outer edge of ring flange to centroid B Centroid of ring frame exclusive any shell flange
of stiffener inclusive effective shell plating
C Centroid of free flange
α, αA coefficients
αB, αC coefficients
l eo
β coefficient t
δ0 initial out-of-roundness parameter
γM material factor
η coefficient tw
⎯λ reduced column slenderness
e
h A r
⎯λs reduced shell slenderness
⎯λT reduced torsional slenderness zt
bf tf
μ Coefficient B r0
θ circumferential co-ordinate measured from axis 1

ρ Coefficient ef C rf
ν Poisson's ratio = 0.3
b
σa,Sd design membrane stress in the longitudinal
direction due to uniform axial force
Figure 1.3-1 Cross sectional parameters for a ring frame
σh,Sd design membrane stress in the circumferential
direction 1.4 Buckling modes
σhR,Sd design membrane stress in a ring frame The buckling modes for stiffened cylindrical shells are
categorised as follows:
σhm,Sd design circumferential bending stress in a shell at
a bulkhead or a ringframe a) Shell buckling: Buckling of shell plating between rings/
σj,Sd design equivalent von Mises’ stress longitudinal stiffeners.
b) Panel stiffener buckling: Buckling of shell plating
σm,Sd design membrane stress in the longitudinal including longitudinal stiffeners. Rings are nodal lines.
direction due to global bending c) Panel ring buckling: Buckling of shell plating including
design membrane stress in the longitudinal rings. Longitudinal stiffeners act as nodal lines.
σx,Sd
direction d) General buckling: Buckling of shell plating including
longitudinal stiffeners and rings.
σxm,Sd design longitudinal bending stress in a shell at a e) Column buckling: Buckling of the cylinder as a
bulkhead or a ringframe column.
design shear stress tangential to the shell surface For long cylindrical shells it is possible that interaction
τSd
between local buckling and overall column buckling
(in sections x = constant and θ = constant)
may occur because second order effects of axial
τT,Sd design shear stress tangential to the shell surface compression alter the stress distribution calculated from
due to torsional moment linear theory. It is then necessary to take this effect into
account in the column buckling analysis. This is done
τQ,Sd design shear stress tangential to the shell surface
by basing the column buckling on a reduced yield
due to overall shear forces
strength, fkc, as given for the relevant type of structure.
ξ coefficient f) Local buckling of longitudinal stiffeners and rings.
Section 3.10
ψ coefficient
ζ coefficient
The buckling modes and their relevance for the different
cylinder geometries are illustrated in Table 1.3-1

1.3.2 Definitions
A general ring frame cross section is shown Figure 1.2-1,

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8 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

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Table 1.4-1 Buckling modes for different types of cylinders

Buckling mode Type of structure geometry
Ring stiffened Longitudinal stiffened Orthogonally stiffened
(unstiffened circular)
a) Shell buckling

Section 3.4 Section 3.3 Section 3.3

b) Panel stiffener buckling

Section 3.6 Section 3.7

c) Panel ring buckling

Section 3.5 Section 3.7

d) General buckling

Section 3.7

e) Column buckling

Section 3.8 Section 3.8 Section 3.8

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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 9

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For a cylindrical shell with longitudinal stiffeners it is

2. Stresses in Closed Cylinders usually permissible to replace the shell thickness by the
equivalent thickness for calculation of longitudinal
2.1 General membrane stress only:
The stress resultants governing the stresses in a cylindrical
shell is normally defined by the following quantities: A (2.2.4)
te = t +
s
NSd = Design axial force
2.2.3 Shear stresses
MSd = Design bending moments
If simple beam theory is applicable, the membrane shear
TSd = Design torsional moment
stress may be taken as:
QSd = Design shear force
pSd = Design lateral pressure (2.2.5)
τSd = τ T, Sd + τ Q, Sd

Any of the above quantities may be a function of the axial

co-ordinate x. In addition pSd may be a function of the where τT,Sd is due to the torsional moment and τQ,Sd is due to
circumferential co-ordinate θ, measured from axis 1. pSd is the overall shear forces.
always to be taken as the difference between internal and
external pressures, i.e. pSd is taken positive outwards. TSd (2.2.6)
τ T,Sd =
2π r2 t
Actual combinations of the above actions are to be
considered in the buckling strength assessments. Q Q (2.2.7)
1, Sd 2, Sd
τ =− sinθ + cosθ
Q, Sd πrt πrt
2.2 Stresses
where the signs of the torsional moment and the shear forces
2.2.1 General must be reflected. Circumferential and longitudinal stiffeners
The membrane stresses at an arbitrary point of the shell are normally not considered to affect τSd.
plating, due to any or all of the above five actions, are
completely defined by the following three stress components: 2.2.4 Circumferential membrane stress
For an unstiffened cylinder the circumferential membrane
σx,Sd = design membrane stress in the longitudinal stress may be taken as:
direction (tension is positive)
σh,Sd = design membrane stress in the circumferential p r (2.2.8)
direction (tension is positive) σ h, Sd = Sd
t
τSd = design shear stress tangential to the shell surface
provided pSd is constant (gas pressure) or a sine or cosine
(in sections x = constant and θ = constant)
function of θ (liquid pressure).

2.2.2 Longitudinal membrane stress
If the simple beam theory is applicable, the design
longitudinal membrane stress may be taken as:
For a ringstiffened cylinder (without longitudinal stiffeners)
the circumferential membrane stress midway between two
ring frames may be taken as:

p r α ζ  pSd r  (2.2.9)
(2.2.1) σ h, Sd = Sd − − ν σ x, Sd 
σ x,Sd = σ a,Sd + σ m,Sd t 
α +1 t 


where σa,Sd is due to uniform axial force and σm,Sd is due to where
bending.
Sinhβ cosβ + Coshβ sinβ (2.2.10)
For a cylindrical shell without longitudinal stiffeners: ζ=2 , but ζ ≥ 0
Sinh 2β + sin 2β
N Sd (2.2.2)
σ a,Sd = l (2.2.11)
2πrt β=
1.56 r t
M1,Sd M 2,Sd (2.2.3)
σ m,Sd = sinθ − cosθ
πr 2 t πr 2 t AR (2.2.12)
α=
l eo t

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2.2.6 Stresses in shells at bulkheads and ring stiffeners

l  Cosh 2β − cos 2β  (2.2.13)
l eo =  
β  Sinh 2β + sin 2β  2.2.6.1 General
The below stresses may be applied in a check for local
ζ and leo may also be obtained from Figure 2.2-1. yielding in the material based on a von Mises’ equivalent
stress criterion. The bending stresses should also be
For simplification of the analysis the following
accounted for in the fatigue check, but may be neglected in
approximation may be made:
the evaluation of buckling stability.
l eo = l or l eo = 1.56 r t whichever is the smaller.
2.2.6.2 Circumferential membrane stress
For the particular case when pSd is constant and σx,Sd is due to The circumferential membrane stress at a ring frame for a
the end pressure alone, the above formula may be written as: ring stiffened cylinder (without longitudinal stiffeners) may
be taken as:
  ν  (2.2.14)
 α 1 −  ζ 
p Sd r   2  p r  1 (2.2.17)
σ h,Sd = 1− σ h,Sd =  Sd − νσ x,Sd  + νσ x,Sd
t  α +1   t  1+ α
 
 
 
In the case of a bulkhead instead of a ring, AR is taken as
r tb
, where tb is the thickness of the bulkhead. For the
(1 - ν )
1.2

1.0 particular case when pSd is constant and σx,Sd is due to the
end pressure alone, the above formula can be written as:
0.8
 ν 
p Sd r  
1− (2.2.18)
0.6 2 ν
σ h,Sd = +
ζ t  1+ α 2 
 
0.4  

0.2 le0 2.2.6.3 Bending stress

1.56 rt
0.0
Bending stresses and associated shear stresses will occur in
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 the vicinity of “discontinuities” such as bulkheads and
β frames. The longitudinal bending stress in the shell at a
bulkhead or a ring frame may be taken as:
Figure 2.2-1 The parameters leo and ζ
p r  3 (2.2.19)
σ xm,Sd =  Sd − σ h,Sd 
 t  1 − ν2

2.2.5 Circumferential stress in a ring frame where σh,Sd is given in (2.2.17) or (2.2.18).
For ring stiffened shells the circumferential stress in a ring
The circumferential bending stress in the shell at a bulkhead
frame at the distance rr (rr is variable, rr = rf at ring flange
or a ring frame is:
position and rr = r at shell) from the cylinder axis may be
taken as:
σ h m,Sd = νσ xm,Sd (2.2.20)
p r  1  r  (2.2.15)
σ hR,Sd =  Sd − νσ x,Sd  



 t  1 + α  rr 

For the particular case when pSd is constant and σx,Sd is due to
the end pressure alone, the above formula can be written as:

 ν (2.2.16)
p Sd r 
1− 
σ hR,Sd = 2  r
t  1 + α  rr
 
 

For longitudinally stiffened shells α should be replaced by

A R in eq. (2.2.15) and (2.2.16).
lt

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 0 if σ a,Sd ≥ 0 (3.2.4)
3. Buckling Resistance of Cylindrical Shells σ a0,Sd = 
− σ a,Sd if σ a,Sd < 0
3.1 Stability requirement
The stability requirement for shells subjected to one or more  0 if σ m,Sd ≥ 0 (3.2.5)
σ m0,Sd = 
of the following components: − σ m,Sd if σ m,Sd < 0

0 if σ h,Sd ≥ 0, internal net pressure (3.2.6)

σ h0,Sd = 
- axial compression or tension − σ h,Sd if σ h,Sd < 0, ext. net pressure
- bending
- circumferential compression or tension
- torsion σa,Sd = design axial stress in the shell due to axial forces
- shear (tension positive), see eq. (2.2.2)
is given by:
σm,Sd = design bending stress in the shell due to global
bending moment (tension positive), see eq. (2.2.3).
σ j,Sd ≤ f ksd (3.1.1)
σh,Sd = design circumferential stress in the shell due to
σj,Sd is defined in Section 3.2, and the design shell buckling external pressure (tension positive), see eq (2.2.8),
strength is defined as: (2.2.9), or (2.2.14). For ring stiffened cylinders
shall only stresses midway between rings be used.
τSd = design shear stress in the shell due to torsional
f (3.1.2)
f ksd = ks moments and shear force, see eq. (2.2.5).
γM
fEa, fEm, fEh and fEτ are the elastic buckling strengths of
curved panels or circular cylindrical shells subjected to axial
The characteristic buckling strength, fks, is calculated in compression forces, global bending moments, lateral
accordance with Section 3.2. pressure, and torsional moments and/or shear forces
respectively, where:
The material factor, γM, is given as:
fEa = elastic buckling strength for axial force.
γ M = 1.15 for λ s < 0.5 (3.1.3)
fEm = elastic buckling strength for bending moment.
γ M = 0.85 + 0.60λ s for 0.5 ≤ λ s ≤ 1.0 fEh = elastic buckling strength for hydrostatic pressure,
γ M = 1.45 for λ s > 1.0 lateral pressure and circumferential compression.
fEτ = elastic buckling strength for torsion and shear
force.
These may be calculated in accordance with Section 3.3 to
Shell structures may be subjected to global column buckling.
3.7 taking the appropriate buckling coefficients into account.
Evaluation of global column buckling is found in Section
3.8.
3.3 Elastic buckling strength of unstiffened curved
3.2 Characteristic buckling strength of shells panels
The characteristic buckling strength of shells is defined as: 3.3.1 General
This section deals with buckling of shell plate between
fy (3.2.1) stiffeners.
f ks =
4
1+ λs The buckling mode to be checked is:
where a) Shell buckling, see Section 3.3.2.

2 f y  σ a0,Sd σ m0,Sd σ h0,Sd τ Sd  (3.2.2)

λs = + + +
σ j,Sd  f Ea f Em f Eh f Eτ  3.3.2 Shell buckling
The characteristic buckling strength is calculated from
σ j,Sd = (3.2.3) Section 3.2.
(σ a,Sd + σ m,Sd ) − (σ a,Sd + σ m,Sd )σ h,Sd + σ h,Sd
2 2
+ 3τ Sd 2
The elastic buckling strength of curved panels with aspect
ratio l/s > 1 is given by:

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2
The reduced buckling coefficient may be calculated as:
π 2E  t  (3.3.1)
fE = C  
12(1 - ν 2 )  s 
2 (3.4.2)
 ρξ 
A curved panel with aspect ratio l/s < 1 may be considered as C = ψ 1 +  
an unstiffened circular cylindrical shell with length equal to ψ
l, see Section 3.4.2. The values for ψ, ξ and ρ are given in Table 3.4-1 for the
The reduced buckling coefficient may be calculated as: most important load cases.

The curvature parameter Z is defined as:

2 (3.3.2)
 ρξ 
C = ψ 1 +  
ψ l2 (3.4.3)
Zl = 1- ν2
rt
The values for ψ, ξ and ρ are given in Table 3.3-1 for the
most important load cases. For long cylinders the solutions in Table 3.4-1 will be
pessimistic. Alternative solutions are:

Table 3.3-1 Buckling coefficient for unstiffened

curved panels, mode a) Shell buckling • Torsion and shear force
ψ ξ ρ If l > 3,85 r then the elastic buckling strength may be
r t
Axial stress 4 0.702 Zs  r 
−0.5
calculated as:
0.51 + 
 150t 
Shear stress 2
s 3/4
s 0.856 Zs t
32 (3.4.4)
5.34 + 4  0.6 f Eτ = 0,25 E  
l l
r
Circumferential 2
s
  s 2  1.04 Zs
compression
1 +    0.6 • Lateral/hydrostatic pressure
l
  l  

If l > 2,25 r then the elastic buckling strength may be

r t
The curvature parameter Zs is defined as:
calculated as:

s2 (3.3.3) 2 (3.4.5)
Zs = 1- ν2 t
rt f Eh = 0,25 E  
r

3.4 Elastic buckling strength of unstiffened

Table 3.4-1 Buckling coefficients for unstiffened
circular cylinders cylindrical shells, mode a) Shell buckling
3.4.1 General ψ ξ ρ
The buckling modes to be checked are: Axial stress 1 −0.5
0.702 Z l  r 
0.51 + 
 150t 
a) Shell buckling, see Section 3.4.2.
b) Column buckling, see Section 3.8. Bending 1 0.702 Z l  r 
−0.5

0.51 + 
 300t 
Torsion and 5.34 0.856 Z l3 / 4 0.6
3.4.2 Shell buckling shear force
Lateral 4 1.04 Z l 0.6
The characteristic buckling strength of unstiffened circular pressure1)
cylinders is calculated from Section 3.2. The elastic buckling 2 0.6
Hydrostatic 1.04 Z l
strength of an unstiffened circular cylindrical shell is given pressure2)
by: NOTE 1: Lateral pressure is used when the capped end axial force due to
hydrostatic pressure is not included in the axial force.
2
π 2E t (3.4.1) NOTE 2:Hydrostatic pressure is used when the capped end axial force due
fE = C  
12(1 - ν 2 )  l  to hydrostatic pressure is included in the axial force.

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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 13

October 2010

3.5 Ring stiffened shells

(
σ x, Sd t 1 + α A r04 ) (3.5.5)
3.5.1 General Ix =
500 E l
The buckling modes to be checked are:
where
a) Shell buckling, see Section 3.4.2.
b) Panel ring buckling, see Section 3.5.2. A (3.5.6)
e) Column buckling, see Section 3.8. αA =
st

3.5.2 Panel ring buckling A = cross sectional area of a longitudinal stiffener.

The rings will normally be proportioned to avoid the panel
ring buckling mode. This is ensured if the following
requirements are satisfied. 3.5.2.5 Calculation of Ixh
The moment of inertia of ring frames inclusive effective
3.5.2.1 Cross sectional area.
width of shell plate in a cylindrical shell subjected to torsion
The cross sectional area of a ring frame (exclusive of and/or shear should not be less than Ixh, which is defined by:
effective shell plate flange) should not be less than AReq,
which is defined by: 8/5 1/ 5
τ   r0  (3.5.7)
I xh =  Sd    Lr0 t l
 Ε  L
 2  (3.5.1)
A Req ≥  2 + 0.06 l t
Z
 l  3.5.2.6 Simplified calculation of Ih for external pressure
The moment of inertia of ring frames inclusive effective
width of shell plate in a cylindrical shell subjected to external
lateral pressure should not be less than Ih, which is
3.5.2.2 Moment of inertia conservatively defined by:
The effective moment of inertia of a ring frame (inclusive
effective shell plate flange) should not be less than IR, which
 
is defined by:
p Sd r r02 l  3 E z tδ 0


Ih = 1 .5 +
3E   f 
I R = I x + I xh + I h (3.5.2)  r02  r − σ h R,Sd  
  2  
(3.5.8)

Ix, Ixh and Ih are defined in eq.(3.5.5), (3.5.7) and (3.5.8), (see and
also Sec. 3.5.2.7), the effective width of the shell plate flange
is defined in Sec. 3.5.2.3. fr
> σ hR,Sd
2
3.5.2.3 Effective width The characteristic material resistance, fr, shall be taken as:
The effective width of the shell plating to be included in the
actual moment of inertia of a ring frame shall be taken as the • For fabricated ring frames:
smaller of: fr = fT

• For cold-formed ring frames:

1.56 rt (3.5.3) fr = 0.9fT
l ef =
t
1 + 12
r The torsional buckling strength, fT, may be taken equal to the
yield strength, fy, if the following requirements are satisfied:
and
l ef = l (3.5.4)

• Flat bar ring frames:

3.5.2.4 Calculation of Ix
The moment of inertia of ring frames inclusive effective E (3.5.9)
h ≤ 0.4 t W
width of shell plate in a cylindrical shell subjected to axial fy
compression and/or bending should not be less than Ix, which
is defined by:

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14 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

October 2010

• Flanged ring frames (ef = 0, for ef ≠ 0 see section 3.10): where

E (3.5.10) fr (3.5.16)
h ≤ 1.35 t W λ=
fy fE

7h (3.5.11) The values for the parameters fr, fE and μ may be taken as:
b≥
E h
10 + The characteristic material strength, fr, may be taken equal to
fy r the yield strength, fy, if the following requirements are
satisfied:
Otherwise fT may be obtained from section 3.9.
• Flat bar ring frames:
zt is defined in Figure 1.3-1. For σhR,Sd see section 2.2.5 and
for pSd see section 2.1.
The assumed mode of deformation of the ring frame E (3.5.17)
h ≤ 0.4 t W
corresponds to ovalization, and the initial out-of-roundness is fy
defined by:
• Flanged ring frames (ef = 0, for ef ≠ 0 see section 3.10):
w = δ 0 cos 2θ (3.5.12)
E (3.5.18)
h ≤ 1.35 t W
fy
δ 0 = 0.005 r (3.5.13)

Alternatively the capacity of the ring frame may be assessed 7h (3.5.19)

from 3.5.2.7. b≥
E h
10 +
fy r
3.5.2.7 Refined calculation of Ih for external pressure
If a ring stiffened cylinder, or a part of a ring stiffened Otherwise fr should be set to fT. fT may be obtained from
cylinder, is effectively supported at the ends, the following section 3.9.
procedure may be used to calculate required moment of
inertia Ih. For design it might be recommended to start with 2 (3.5.20)
π 2E t
equation (3.5.8) to arrive at an initial geometry. (The reason f E = C1  
is that Ih is implicit in the present procedure in equations 12(1 -ν 2 )  L 
(3.5.23) and (3.5.27)). where
When a ring stiffened cylinder is subjected to external
pressure the ring stiffeners should satisfy:
C1 =
( )
2 1 + α B 
1+
0.27 Z L
−
α B  (3.5.21)
1+ α   
1 + αB 1 + αB 
  
A 
t rf 1 + R  (3.5.14)
fk  leo t 
pSd ≤ 0.75 L2 (3.5.22)
γM  ν ZL = 1 −ν 2
r 2 1 −  rt
 2

where
αB =
(
12 1 − ν 2 Ih) (3.5.23)
pSd = design external pressure l t3
t = shell thickness
rf = radius of the shell measured to the ring flange, see AR (3.5.24)
Figure 1.2-1. α=
leo t
r = shell radius
leo = smaller of 1.56 rt and l
AR = cross sectional area of ring stiffener (exclusive z t δ 0 rf l  C  1 (3.5.25)
shell flange) μ= 1 − 2 
2
i h r l eo  C1  ν 
1−  
fk is the characteristic buckling strength found from:  2

(3.5.15) δ 0 = 0.005r (3.5.26)

fk 1 + μ + λ 2 − 1 + μ + λ 2  2 −4λ 2
 
=
fr 2λ 2

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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202
October 2010
(3.5.27)
Ih
i 2h =
A R + leo t
zt = distance from outer edge of ring flange to centroid
of stiffener inclusive effective shell plating, see
Figure 1.2-1.
C 2 = 2 1 + 0.27 Z L (3.5.28)
L = distance between effective supports of the ring
stiffened cylinder. Effective supports may be:
• End closures, see Figure 3.5-1a.
• Bulkheads, see Figure 3.5-1b.
• Heavy ring frames, see Figure 3.5-1c.
The moment of inertia of a heavy ring frame has to comply
with the requirement given in section 3.5.2.2 with Ix, Ixh and
Ih defined in eq. (3.5.5), (3.5.7) and (3.5.8) and with l
substituted by LH, which is defined in Figure 3.5-1d.
a.
b.
c fy
d.
Figure 3.5-1 Definition of parameters L and LH
DET NORSKE VERITAS
15
3.6 Longitudinally stiffened shells
3.6.1 General
Lightly stiffened shells where s > 3 r will behave basically
t t
as an unstiffened shell and shall be calculated as an
unstiffened shell according to the requirements in Section
3.3.2.
Shells with a greater number of stiffeners such that
s/t ≤ 3 r/t may be designed according to the requirements
given below or as an equivalent flat plate taking into account
the design transverse stress, normally equal to pSd r/t.
The buckling modes to be checked are:
a) Shell buckling, see Section 3.6.2
b) Panel stiffener buckling, see Section 3.6.3
e) Column buckling, see Section 3.8.
3.6.2 Shell buckling
The characteristic buckling strength is found from Section
3.2 and the elastic buckling strengths are given in 3.3.2.
3.6.3 Panel stiffener buckling
3.6.3.1 General
The characteristic buckling strength is found from Section
3.2. It is necessary to base the strength assessment on
effective shell area. The axial stress σa,Sd and bending stress
σm,Sd are per effective shell width, se is calculated from
3.6.3.3.
Torsional buckling of longitudinal stiffeners may be
excluded as a possible failure mode if the following
requirements are fulfilled:
• Flat bar longitudinal stiffeners:
E (3.6.1)
h ≤ 0.4 t W
• Flanged longitudinal stiffeners:
λT ≤ 0.6 (3.6.2)
If the above requirements are not fulfilled for the
longitudinal stiffeners, an alternative design procedure is to
replace the yield strength, fy, with the torsional buckling
strength, fT, in all equations.
λT and fT may be found in section 3.9.
16 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

October 2010

3.6.3.2 Elastic buckling strength σx,Sd = design membrane stress from axial force and
The elastic buckling strength of longitudinally stiffened bending moment, see eq. (2.2.1)
cylindrical shells is given by: fy = yield strength

π 2E t
2 (3.6.3)
fE = C  
2
12(1 - ν )  l  3.7 Orthogonally stiffened shells
The reduced buckling coefficient may be calculated as: 3.7.1 General
The buckling modes to be checked are:
2 (3.6.4)
 ρξ  a) Shell buckling (unstiffened curved panels), see Sec.
C = ψ 1+  
ψ 3.7.2
b) Panel stiffener buckling, see Sec. 3.6.
The values for ψ, ξ and ρ are given in Table 3.6-1 for the c) Panel ring buckling, see Sec. 3.7.3
most important load cases. d) General buckling, see Sec. 3.7.4
e) Column buckling, see Sec. 3.8
3.7.2 Shell buckling
Table 3.6-1 Buckling coefficients for stiffened The characteristic buckling strength is found from
cylindrical shells, mode b) Panel stiffener Section 3.2 and the elastic buckling strengths are given in
buckling Section 3.3.2.
ψ ξ ρ
3.7.3 Panel ring buckling
Axial stress 1 + αC 0.702 Z l 0.5
A Conservative strength assessment following Section 3.5.2.
1+
se t
3.7.4 General buckling
Torsion and l
4/3
0.856 Z 3/4 0.6
α1/3
l
shear stress 5.34 + 1.82  C The rings will normally be proportioned to avoid the general
s
buckling mode. Applicable criteria are given in Section 3.5.
Lateral
Pressure
(
2 1 + 1 + αC ) 1.04 Z l 0.6

where
3.8 Column buckling

l2 (3.6.5) 3.8.1 Stability requirement

Zl = 1 −ν 2
rt The column buckling strength should be assessed if

αC =
(
12 1 − ν 2 Isef ) (3.6.6)  kL 
2
 c  ≥ 2,5 E
(3.8.1)
3
st  i  fy
 c 
A = area of one stiffener, exclusive shell plate where
Isef = moment of inertia of longitudinal stiffener k = effective length factor
including effective shell width se, see eq. (3.6.7). LC = total cylinder length
iC = IC /A C = radius of gyration of cylinder section
IC = moment of inertia of the complete cylinder section
3.6.3.3 Effective shell width (about weakest axis), including longitudinal
stiffeners/internal bulkheads if any.
The effective shell width, se, may be calculated from:
AC = cross sectional area of complete cylinder section;
including longitudinal stiffeners/internal bulkheads
se f ks σ x, Sd (3.6.7) if any.
=
s σ j, Sd fy The stability requirement for a shell-column subjected to
axial compression, bending, circumferential compression is
where: given by:
fks = characteristic buckling strength from Section 3.3.2
/ 3.4.2.
σj,sd = design equivalent von Mises stress, see eq. (3.2.3).

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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 17

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0.5  2f y2  (3.8.10)
 2 2
 




  b =  − 1σ h,Sd
   f Ea f Eh 
σa0, Sd 1  σ m1, Sd   σ  (3.8.2)  
+   +  m2, Sd   ≤1
f kcd f akd  σ   σa0, Sd  
 1 − a0, Sd  1−  
 f E1   f E2   f y2 σ 2h,sd (3.8.11)
     c = σ 2h,Sd + − f y2
2
f Eh

where f ak (3.8.12)
f akd =
σa0,Sd = design axial compression stress, see eq. (3.2.4) γM
σm,Sd = maximum design bending stress about given σh,Sd = design circumferential membrane stress, see eq.
axis, see eq. (2.2.3) (2.2.8) or (2.2.9), tension positive.
fakd = design local buckling strength, see Section 3.8.2 fy = yield strength.
fkcd = design column buckling strength, see eq. (3.8.4)
γM = material factor, see eq. (3.1.3).
fE1,fE2 = Euler buckling strength found from eq. (3.8.3):
fEa, fEh = elastic buckling strengths, see Section 3.4.

π 2EIc, i (3.8.3)
f Ei = , i = 1,2
2
 k L  A
 i c, i  c 3.9 Torsional buckling
The torsional buckling strength may be found from:
f (3.8.4)
f kcd = kc • if λ T ≤ 0.6 :
γM

γM = material factor, see eq. (3.1.3) fT (3.9.1)

fkc = characteristic column buckling strength, see eq. = 1.0
(3.8.5) or (3.8.6). fy

3.8.2 Column buckling strength

The characteristic buckling strength, fkc, for column buckling • if λ T > 0.6 :
may be defined as:

f T 1 + μ + λ T2 −
=
(1 + μ + λ ) 2
T
2
− 4 λ T2
(3.9.2)
f kc = [1.0 − 0.28λ 2 ] f ak for λ ≤ 1.34 (3.8.5)
fy 2 λ T2

0.9 (3.8.6) where:

f kc = f ak for λ > 1.34
λ2
where μ = 0.35 ( λ T − 0.6 ) (3.9.3)

fy (3.9.4)
f ak kLc f ak (3.8.7) λT =
λ= = f ET
fE π ic E

In the general case eq. (3.1.1) shall be satisfied. Hence fak

may be determined (by iteration of equations (3.1.1) to Generally fET may be found from:
(3.2.6)) as maximum allowable σa0,Sd (σa,Sd) where the actual
design values for σm,Sd, σh,Sd and τSd have been applied. GI t Eh s2 I z (3.9.5)
f ET = β + π2
For the special case when the shell is an unstiffened shell the
I po I po lT2
following method may be used to calculate fak.
For L and T stiffeners fET may, when eqs. (3.10.4) and
(3.10.5) are satisfied, be found from:
b + b 2 − 4ac (3.8.8)
f ak =
2a t 
2

A W +  f  A f 2
 tW  t  π 2 EI z
f ET =β G W  +
f y2 (3.8.9) A W + 3A f  h   AW  (3.9.6)
a =1+  + A f  l T2
2
f Ea  3 

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18 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

October 2010

3
1 Af (3.9.7) h t 
Iz = A f b 2 + e f2 C =   (1 − η)
12 A s  tw 
1+ f
AW
• for ring frames

For flat bar ring stiffeners fET may be found from: 3

h  t 
C=   (1 − η)
2 (3.9.8)
l e 0  t w 

 h  t 
f ET = β + 0.2  G  w 
 r  h  and

σ j,Sd (3.9.11)
η=
For flat bar longitudinal stiffeners fET may be found from: f ks

σj,Sd may be found from eq. (3.2.3) and fks may be calculated
  h 
2
t 
2 (3.9.9)
from eq. (3.2.1) using the elastic buckling strengths from
f ET = β + 2   G w 
  lT    h  Sections 3.3.2 or 3.4.2.
 
Ring frames in a cylindrical shell which is not designed for
external lateral pressure shall be so proportioned that the
β = 1.0, reduced slenderness with respect to torsional buckling, λ T ,
or may alternatively be calculated as per eq. is not greater than 0.6.
(3.9.10)
Af = cross sectional area of flange
AW = cross sectional area of web
3.10 Local buckling of longitudinal stiffeners and
G = shear modulus
ring stiffeners
polar moment of inertia = 
2
r dA
Ipo = where r is 3.10.1 Ring stiffeners
measured from the connection between the
The geometric proportions of ring stiffeners should comply
stiffener and the plate
with the requirements given below (see Figure 1.2-1 for
It = stiffener torsional moment of inertia (St. Venant
definitions):
torsion)
Iz = moment of inertia about centroid axis of stiffener • Flat bar ring frames:
normal to the plane of the plate
lT = for ring stiffeners:
distance (arc length) between tripping brackets. E (3.10.1)
h ≤ 0.4t w
fy
lT need not be taken greater than π rh for the
analysis; • Flanged ring frames:
for longitudinal stiffeners:
distance between ring frames E (3.10.2)
h ≤ 1.35 t W
b = flange width fy
ef = flange eccentricity, see Figure 1.3-1
h = web height If the requirements in eqs. (3.10.1) and (3.10.2) are not
hs = distance from stiffener toe (connection between satisfied, the characteristic material resistance fr shall be
stiffener and plate) to the shear centre of the taken as fT (where fT is calculated in accordance with Section
stiffener 3.9).
t = shell thickness
tf = thickness of flange E (3.10.3)
tW = thickness of web b f ≤ 0.4t f
fy

3C + 0.2 (3.9.10) where:

β=
C + 0.2
bf = flange outstand
where:
• for longitudinal stiffeners
h 2 rf A w E (3.10.4)
≤
tw 3 h Af f y

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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 19

October 2010

e f 1 rf A w (3.10.5)
≤
t w 3 h Af

3.10.2 Longitudinal stiffeners

The geometric proportions of longitudinal stiffeners should
comply with the requirements given below (see Figure 1.3-1
for definitions):

• Flat bar longitudinal stiffeners:

E (3.10.6)
h ≤ 0.4t w
fy

• Flanged longitudinal stiffeners:

E (3.10.7)
h ≤ 1.35 t W
fy

If the requirements in eqs. (3.10.6) and (3.10.7) are not

satisfied, the characteristic material resistance fr shall be
taken as fT (where fT is calculated in accordance with Section
3.9).

E (3.10.8)
h ≤ 1.35 t W
fy

E (3.10.9)
b f ≤ 0.4t f
fy

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20 Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202

October 2010

σx,Sd = design membrane stress in the longitudinal

4. Unstiffened Conical Shells direction
σh,Sd = design membrane stress in the circumferential
4.1 Introduction direction
This chapter treats the buckling of unstiffened conical shells, τSd = design shear stress tangential to the shell surface
see Figure 4.1-1. (in sections x = constant and θ = constant)

Buckling of conical shells is treated like buckling of an The loading condition and axes are similar as defined for
equivalent circular cylindrical shell. cylindrical shells in Figure 1.1-1.

N Sd 4.2.2 Longitudinal membrane stress

pSd If simple beam theory is applicable, the longitudinal
membrane stress may be taken as:

σ x,Sd = σ a,Sd + σ m,Sd (4.2.1)

where σa,Sd is due to uniform axial compression and σm,Sd is

l α r1 due to bending.

For a conical shell without stiffeners along the generator:

p Sd r N Sd (4.2.2)
σ a,Sd = +
r2 2 t e 2π r t e

M1,Sd M 2,Sd (4.2.3)

σ m,Sd = sin θ − cosθ
Figure 4.1-1 Conical shell (force and pressure shown is π r2 te π r2 te
negative)
where

4.2 Stresses in conical shells te = t cos α

4.2.1 General
The loading condition governing the stresses in a truncated
conical shell, Figure 4.1-1, is normally defined by the 4.2.3 Circumferential membrane stress
following quantities: The circumferential membrane stress may be taken as:
NSd = design overall axial force exclusive of end
pressure p Sd r (4.2.4)
σ h,Sd =
M1,Sd = design overall bending moment acting about te
principal axis 1
M2,Sd = design overall bending moment acting about where
principal axis 2
te = t cos α
TSd = design overall torsional moment
Q1,Sd = design overall shear force acting parallel to
principal axis 1
Q2,Sd = design overall shear force acting parallel to
4.2.4 Shear stress
principal axis 2
pSd = design lateral pressure If simple beam theory is applicable, the membrane shear
stress may be taken as:
Any of the above quantities may be a function of the co-
ordinate x along the shell generator. In addition pSd may be a τSd = τT,Sd + τQ,Sd (4.2.5)
function of the circumferential co-ordinate θ, measured from
axis 1. pSd is always to be taken as the difference between where τT,Sd is due to the torsional moment and τQ,Sd is due to
internal and external pressures, i.e. pSd is taken positive the overall shear forces.
outwards.
(4.2.6)
The membrane stresses at an arbitrary point of the shell TSd
τ T,Sd =
plating, due to any or all of the above seven actions, are 2π r2 t
completely defined by the following three stress components:

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Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C202 21

October 2010

Q1,Sd Q 2,Sd
(4.2.7)
τ Q,Sd = − cosθ + sinθ
πr t πrt

where the signs of the torsional moment and the shear forces
must be reflected.

4.3 Shell buckling

4.3.1 Buckling strength
The characteristic buckling strength of a conical shell may be
determined according to the procedure given for unstiffened
cylindrical shells, Section 3.4.

The elastic buckling strength of a conical shell may be taken

equal to the elastic buckling resistance of an equivalent
unstiffened cylindrical shell defined by:

r1 + r2 (4.3.1)
re =
2 cosα

l (4.3.2)
le =
cosα
The buckling strength of conical shells has to comply with
the requirements given in Section 3.4 for cylindrical shells.
In lieu of more accurate analyses, the requirements are to be
satisfied at any point of the conical shell, based on a
membrane stress distribution according to Section 4.2.

DET NORSKE VERITAS