International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756

An idealization concept for the stability analysis of

ring-reinforced cylindrical shells under external pressure
S. Barlag ∗ , H. Rothert
Institut fur Statik, Universitat Hannover, Appelstr. 9a, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Abstract
A nomograph is introduced, which is based on the stability equations for an orthotropic cylindrical shell. The
equations are derived from the assumption of the exact displacement versus strain relationship and of linear-elastic
material behaviour. The displacement versus strain relationship is the same as Fl2ugge indicated for the isotropic
cylindrical shell. The nomograph can be used to determine in a fast and direct way the ideal local and global buckling
pressure and the critical buckling form of a ring-sti4ened circular cylindrical shell under external pressure.
The determining values are useful for the preliminary design. They can serve as input values for an idealization
concept that describes the method for obtaining a representative substructure for a 5nite element calculation.
The subsequent geometrically and physically non-linear stability analysis of the subsystem is performed using two
ring-reinforced cylinders as an example, and then compared with experimental results. ? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.
All rights reserved.

1. Derivation of the orthotropic stability surface):

equations z
u(z) = u − w; x ;
R
1.1. Displacement versus strain relationship u; ’ w; x’
1 (z) = −z ;
(R − z) R(R − z)

v w; ’ 
A small-de7ection theory for the buckling of v(z) = v − w d’ − z + ;
sti4ened orthotropic cylinders which includes ec- R R
centricity e4ects in the sti4eners is derived from v; x
v w; x’ 
;x
the more exact strain versus displacement rela- 2 (z) = −z + ;
R R2 R2
tionship as Fl2ugge indicated in [1] for an isotropic
cylindrical shell. The kinematic relationship links w(z) = w;
the strains of the shell with the deformations of the with
middle surface of the cylinder (the reference
z=z for the shell;
z = e L + zL for stringer sti4eners;
∗ Corresponding author. z = e R + zR for ring-sti4eners:
0020-7462/02/$ - see front matter ? 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 0 2 0 - 7 4 6 2 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 0 9 6 - 8
746 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756
Fig. 1. Geometry and designations.
The strains arise from the displacement functions
as a result of the partial derivatives by x and ’.
The equations can also be used for the orthotropic
structure if z is replaced by the sum of the eccen-
tricity and the variable rigid coordinate zL or zR
for the respective type of sti4ener (see Fig. 1). For
the ring-reinforced shell it must be considered that
the reference length in the circumferential direction
changes as the eccentricity of the ring-sti4eners in-
creases towards the centre of the cylinder.
1.2. Relationship of internal forces
Taking into account linear elastic material be-
haviour the relationship of plane stress valid for the
shell and single-axial stress according to the beam
theory is also valid for the sti4eners. The stress
functions consist additively of the integration of the
stresses for the individual layers in the z-direction.
The internal loads arise from the inclusion of the
displacement versus strain relationship and the ma-
terial law in the stress functions, and also from the
integration of the stresses over the individual areas
of the orthotropic structure. The internal loads are
described in detail in Tables 1 and 2. We introduce
the following abbreviations: (: : :); x = R@(: : :)=@x and
(: : :); ’ = @(: : :)=@’.
1.3. Conditions of equilibrium
The formulation of the equilibrium in the de-
formed status is identical for isotropic and or-
thotropic cylinders. The equilibrium equations do
not change due to the additional arrangement of the
sti4eners. The following equations are applicable
for the three additional displacement components
u; v and w, as a result of the observation of the
deformed shell:
nx; x R + n’x; ’ R + q0 R(w; x − u; ’ ’ ) = 0;
nx’; x R + n’; ’ R − mx’; x − m’; ’ − p0 v; xx = 0;
mx; xx + m’x; ’x + mx’; x’ + m’; ’ ’ + n’ R
+ q0 R(u; x − w − w; ’ ’ ) − p0 w; xx = 0:
 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756 747

Table 1
Governing equations for internal membrane loads

In-plane sti4ness Coupling sti4ness Bending sti4ness

   
Et 1   Et 3 1
nx = u; x + v ; ’ − w w; xx
1 − 2 R R R 12(1 − 2 ) R3
 
EL AL 1 E L A L  eL 
u; x − 2 w; xx
bL R bL R
   
Et  1 1 Et 3 1 1
n’ = u; x + v ; ’ − w − 3 w − 3 w; ’ ’
1− 2R R R 12(1 − 2 ) R R
     
E R AR 1 1 ER AR eR E R IR 1 1
v; ’ − w − w; ’ ’ − w − w ;’ ’
bR R (R − eR ) bR R(R − eR ) bR (R − eR )3 (R − eR )3
   
Et (1 − ) (1 − ) Et 3 (1 − ) (1 − )
nx’ = u; ’ + v; x v; x + w; x’
1 − 2 2R 2R 12(1 − 2 ) 2R3 2R3
   
Et (1 − ) (1 − ) Et 3 (1 − ) ( − 1)
n’x = u; ’ + v; x u; ’ + w; x’
1− 2 2R 2R 12(1 − 2 ) 2R3 2R3

Table 2
Governing equations for internal bending loads
In-plane sti4. Coupling sti4ness Bending sti4ness
 
Et 3 1  1 
mx = − 2 u; x − 2 v; ’ − 2 w; xx − 2 w; ’ ’
12(1 − 2 ) R R R R
   
EL AL  eL  E L AL e2 E L IL 1
u; x − L2 w; xx + − 2 w; xx
bL R bL R bL R
 
Et 3 1 1 
m’ = − 2 w − 2 w’ ’ − 2 w; xx
12(1 − 2 ) R R R
     
ER AR eR eR E R AR eR2 E R IR R
v; ’ − w − w; ’ ’ + − (w + w; ’ ’ )
bR R (R − eR ) bR R(R − eR ) bR (R − eR )3
 
Et 3 ( − 1) ( − 1)
mx’ = v; x + w; x’
12(1 − 2 ) R2 R2
 
Et 3 (1 − ) ( − 1) ( − 1)
m’x = u; ’ + v; x + w; x’
12(1 − 2 ) 2R2 2R2 2R2

Three partial di4erential equations are obtained  

after the inclusion of the stress functions in the n2 0 −( mR
L )
conditions of equilibrium. For a simpler numerical  
 
handling, these sets of equations can be represented Q= 0 0 0 ;
 
in a matrix form: −( mR 2
L ) 0 (n − 1)
[A + q0 RQ + p0 P]x = 0
with   
 0 0 0
A11 A12 A13  
 
A =  A21 A22 A23  (sti4ness matrix); P= mR 2
0 ( L ) 0 ;

A31 A32 A33 0 0 ( mR 2
L )
748 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756

 
u  
  ER AR RR
x= v  (unknown displacement vector of + −n2 ;
bR R
w
 2 
Et Et 3 n(3 − ) mR
the additional variables): A23 = [n] +
1 − 2 12(1 − 2 ) 2R2 L
The following functions which satisfy the classical
boundary conditions are used to solve the di4eren- ER AR  eR 
+ n − n3 ;
tial equations: bR R

mx 
 4
u = u0 cos(n’) cos ; Et Et 3 1 mR
L A33 = [ − 1] + − 2

mx  1 − 2 12(1 − 2 ) R L
v = v0 sin(n’) sin ;  2 
L

mx  2n2 mR n4 2n2 1
− 2 − 2+ 2 − 2
w = w0 cos(n’) sin : R L R R R
L

 4 
The coeFcients of the symmetrical sti4ness matrix EL AL eL2 mR
are then given as follows: + − 2
bL R L

 2 
Et n2 ( − 1) mR
 4 
A11 = − EL IL 1 mR
1 − 2 2 L + − 2
bL R L
 
Et 3 n2 ( − 1)  
+ ER AR R eR e2
12(1 − 2 ) 2R2 + − + 2n2 − R n4

 2  bR RR RR RRR
EL AL mR  
+ − ; ER IR R R R
bL L + − 3 n4 + 2n2 3 − 3
bR RR RR RR
  
Et n(1 + ) mR with
A12 = ;
1 − 2 2 L
   R R = R − eR :
Et mR
A13 = −  Some additional sti4ness terms occur due to the
1 − 2 L
 2   eccentricity of the sti4eners. The equations can
Et 3 n (1 − ) mR also be used for an isotropic cylinder. The terms
+
12(1 − 2 ) 2R2 L which result from the arrangement of longitudi-
 3  nal or ring-sti4eners (characterized by the index L
1 mR or R) are then neglected. A special linear eigen-
− 2
R L value problem can be formulated depending on the

 3  type of loading and the critical type of load be-
EL AL eL mR ing sought. The smallest eigenvalue represents the
+ ;
bL R L critical buckling pressure. It is valid

 2  for axial pressure:
Et ( − 1) mR 2
A22 = −n [(A + q0 RQ)−1 · P − cr 1]x = 0;
1 − 2 2 L

 2  for external pressure:
Et 3 3( − 1) mR
+ [(A + p0 P)−1 · Q − cr 1]x = 0:
12(1 − 2 ) 2R2 L
 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756
2. Representation and application of a
calculation concept for a ring-reinforced cylinder
under external pressure
For the local buckling pressure of a ring-reinforced
cylinder it is assumed that only the shell between
the sti4eners deforms. The sti4eners remain unde-
formed. Any existing bending sti4ness of the rein-
forcement is neglected. The local buckling pressure
is the same as that of an isotropic, simply supported
shell with the length bR .
If the buckling condition is analysed in such
a way that critical buckling pressure and bR =R
are included in a double logarithmic scale
overthe unit-free geometrical curve parameter

k = (L=R) t=R, then the connection between the
ideal buckling pressure and the critical circumfer-
ential wave number n can be represented in an easy
way (see Fig. 2). Shells with the same geometrical
parameter k have the same critical wavelength over
a large area (see Refs. [2,3]).
The global buckling pressure of a ring-reinforced
shell is dependent on the bending sti4ness of the
Fig. 2. Nomograph for the determination of the critical local buckling load and the buckling form of ring-sti4ened cylinders
(nomograph A).
749
ring-sti4eners which is referred to as the bending
sti4ness of the width of the shell that also has an
e4ect Iref = IR =(bR t 3 ).
Fig. 3 shows the in7uence of the referred bending
sti4ness Iref on the ideal global buckling pressure.
The referred ideal global buckling pressure is also
represented in the double logarithmic scale over the
parameter of shell slenderness L=R and the geomet-
rical curve parameter k. Thus, the critical circum-
ferential wavelength is almost independent of the
reinforcement degree, as comparative studies show
(see, for example Ref. [4]).
The connection shown here enables the develop-
ment of one nomograph with the aid of which the
most important buckling values for circular cylin-
ders with di4erent referred bending sti4nesses can
be read o4 (see Fig. 4).
When using the nomograph it must be considered
that the eccentricity of the reinforcement and its
in7uence on buckling pressure is neglected.
Since, however, it is assumed that this is fol-
lowed by a geometrically and physically non-linear
numerical stability analysis, e.g. by means of the
750 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756

Fig. 3. In7uence of the referred bending sti4ness of the ring sti4eners on the global buckling pressure.

Fig. 4. Nomograph for the determination of the critical global buckling load and the buckling form of ring-sti4ened cylinders
(nomograph B).

5nite element method, and only an estimate of the
buckling pressure and the critical circumferential
wave number is to be taken, these inaccuracies can
be neglected.
In order to illustrate the application, the necessary
input values and the results for the experimentally
examined cylinder RVK1 (see Ref. [5]) are entered
in the two nomographs.
The stability behaviour of both RVK1 and RVK7
is investigated numerically in the following section.
Table 3 gives the local buckling pressure qki; lok ,
determined from the nomograph A (see Fig. 2),
 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756
Table 3
Assumption of the buckling form of RVK1 and RVK7
Model Experiment From nomograph A
2 2
qexp (N=mm ) m=n qki; lok (N=mm )
RVK1 0.204 1=10 0.218
RVK7 0.139 1=7 0.235
and the global buckling pressure qki; glob , determined
from the nomograph B (see Fig. 4), of the cylinders
RVK1 and RVK7.
3. Idealization concept
Despite the increased computer performance re-
garding the processor speed and storage capacity,
in the case of non-linear numerical calculations the
smallest possible replacement systems are usually
selected for cost reasons.
These subsystems, of both isotropic and rein-
forced shell panels, must show the load bearing
performance of the complete structure or at least
approximate it quite well in the context of the
theory.
One criterion for the selection of a suitable re-
placement system is the critical buckling form at the
bifurcation point. With the aid of the nomograph it
is possible to determine the decisive buckling form
both directly and rapidly. The criterion for the de-
termination of the type of buckling form (whether
local or global) is given by qki; lok 6 1:5qki; glob , fol-
lowing Walker and Sridharan (see Ref. [6]), where
qki; lok is the ideal local buckling pressure of the
unsti4ened shell section and qki; glob is the global
buckling pressure of the entire reinforced cylinder.
An evaluation of the respective nomograph for the
two examples RVK1 and RVK7 reveals that the
cylinder RVK1 is more likely to buckle in a global
mode, while the cylinder RVK7 is more likely to
buckle in a local mode, see also Table 3. The criti-
cal circumferential wave numbers are also listed in
this table. The subsystems for the numerical cal-
culations are modelled in the manner suggested in
the idealization concept (see Fig. 5).
751
From nomograph B Assumption
2
m=n qki; glob (N=mm ) m=n
1=11 1.203 1=4 Local buckling
1=11 0.147 1=6 Global buckling
4. Finite element calculations
4.1. FE-model
For a geometrically and physically non-linear
structural analysis of a thin-walled shell it is not
suFcient — in contrast to a linear calculation — to
determine only one point on the load–displacement
path. In addition to the calculation of an equi-
librium state on a desired load level, information
about the process of the displacement–load curve
in the prebuckling area is necessary for the eval-
uation of the load bearing performance. For the
investigation of the postbuckling behaviour, some
suitable procedures with automatic incrementa-
tion are required for an eFcient calculation of the
equilibrium path.
The commercial FE — program MARC of the
MSC — software — company was used for the FE
calculation (see Ref. [7]). With this program, an in-
cremental stability analysis of the reinforced struc-
tures can be performed comparatively easily by us-
ing the suitable pre- and post-processor MENTAT.
The shell and the ring-sti4eners are modelled by
isoparametric eight-node shell elements with six de-
grees of freedom, which can describe the substan-
tial stability phenomena of reinforced structures.
In addition, the utilization of the bearing reserves
within the inelastic region requires a materially
non-linear structural analysis. In order to simulate
the plastic material behaviour, the implemented
7ow theory by von Mises is used.
The calculation of the load–displacement curve
is carried out with the Newton–Raphson iterative
method and the procedures with automatic load
stepping after the formulation by Riks and Ramm.
The predeformation is applied without tension in
the form of sine waves in the longitudinal and cir-
cumferential directions with the max. amplitude of
752 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756

Fig. 5. Flow chart for ring-sti4ened cylinders under uniform external pressure.

w0 = 1:0t. The number of longitudinal half-waves
and the number of circumferential waves were de-
termined from the respective nomograph.
In order to be able to make a comparison be-
tween the calculation times for the di4erent subsys-
tems, all the calculations were performed with 100
increments. A conventional Windows NT computer
with a 350 MHz Intel Pentium II processor and a
storage capacity of 256 MB was used for the FE
calculations.
4.2. Example of global buckling
The RVK7 was selected to show an exam-
ple of numerical stability analysis from a global
buckling cylinder. The RVK7 was examined
 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756 753

Fig. 6. Geometry and material parameters of RVK7.

Table 4
Comparison of the calculation times and the deviations

Section Elements d.o.f. CPU-time (s) qu (N=mm2 ) Deviation (%) Remarks

Model (a) 36 × 18 13,392 7426.76 0.1667 +20

Model (b) 6 × 18 2478 257.26 0.1406 +1
Model (b) 12 × 18 4710 781.98 0.138 −1

experimentally by Duesing and Schmidt, reported
in [5]. Fig. 6 shows the most important system and
material parameters.
The cylinder buckles at a pressure of qu =
0:139 N=mm2 with a large bulge over the entire
length of the cylinder. The experimental critical
circumferential wave number is indicated as n = 7
possible waves.
Three numerical calculations were performed
with two di4erent systems, which correspond to
models (a) and (c) in Fig. 9.
◦
The 60 section was modelled 5rst with a coarser
element mesh (6 elements in the circumferential
direction), and then with a re5ned element mesh
(12 elements in the circumferential direction). The
results are listed in Table 4 in order to provide a
comparison of the number of degrees of freedom,
the cost of the computation and the accuracy of the
di4erent meshes.
◦
It can be recognized that the 360 cylinder shows
a very sti4 behaviour and that the computation time
is very high. An optimum result is obtained with
◦
a 12 × 18 element mesh and a 60 section of the
cylinder (see also Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 provides a comparison of the experimen-
tally and numerically determined results of the
load–displacement behaviour of an interior buckle.
It can be observed that with the selected mechanical
model and the representative subsystem there is a
small deviation in the numerically calculated buck-
ling pressure from the results in the experiment.
This deviation amounts to only 1%. The progress
of the load–displacement curve is well illustrated.
4.3. Example of local buckling
The numerical simulation of a locally buckled
ring-sti4ened cylinder is represented by the cylinder
RVK1, which was also examined experimentally by
Schmidt and Duesing (see Ref. [5]).
The cylinder buckles locally in the middle sec-
tion shell panel with a uniform external pressure
of qu = 0:204 N=mm2 . The critical circumferential
wave number amounts to 11 possible waves, seven
of which are formed during the buckling process,
(Fig. 8).
Four di4erent systems were modelled, as
shown in Fig. 9, and models (c) and (d) were
754 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756

Fig. 7. Load–displacement path and buckling form of RVK7 (enlarged 20 times).

Fig. 8. Geometry and material parameters of RVK1.

examined additionally in each case with two

di4erent element meshes. Table 5 compares
the numerical costs, the element mesh, the de-
gree of freedom and the results of the di4erent
systems.
The calculations with complete cylinders show
convergence problems and abort after the 47th or
53rd load step. The required computing times would
increase for a complete calculation with 100 incre-
ments. Model (b) shows very good results with a
coarser element mesh and a comparatively low cost Fig. 9. Numerical models of the cylinder RVK1.
of computation, and these results can be further op-
timized by 5ner discretization. The expenditure can
be reduced still more by a further simpli5cation of pressure still corresponds well with the experimen-
the system to model (d). The numerical buckling tal one, as can be seen in Fig. 10.
 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756 755

Table 5
Comparison of calculation time and deviation

Section Elements, NU × NL d.o.f. CPU-time (s) qu (N=mm2 ) Deviation (%) Remarks

Model (a) 40 × 18 16,320 10081.4 0.1693 −17 Aborted at incr. 47

Model (b) 4 × 18 1902 188.9 0.1790 −12
Model (c) 40 × 6 4800 443.4 0.1477 −27 Aborted at incr. 53
Model (d) 4×6 558 61.5 0.1668 −18
Model (c) 8 × 36 6966 966.65 0.1961 −4
Model (d) 12 × 12 2886 370.3 0.1880 −8

Fig. 10. Load–displacement path and buckling form of RVK1 (enlarged 20 times).

In the post-buckling region, the isotropic sub-
system deviates from the experimental load–
displacement curve, and the following conclusion
can be drawn: in order to simulate the post-buckling
behaviour it is necessary to consider the ring sti4-
eners discretely, because the numerical calculation
results in a substantially smaller post-buckling
minimum than the experiment produce.
here provides non-linear numerical buckling anal-
yses on subsystems which accurately represent the
stability behaviour of reinforced circular cylindrical
shells.
Thus computing time and discretization expendi-
ture can be reduced without a large loss of accuracy.
The procedure was described and veri5ed with the
use of examples.

5. Summary References

In this article, a procedure was presented for per-
forming stability analyses as eFciently as possible
with the 5nite element method in the phase of pre-
liminary design.
After a preliminary design on the basis of a linear
buckling theory, the idealization concept presented
[1] W. Fl2ugge, Die Stabilit2at der Kreiszylinderschale,
Ing.-Arch. 3 (1932) 463–506.
[2] R.L. de Neufville, J.J. Connor, Postbuckling behaviour of
thin cylinders, J. Eng. Mech. Div. Proc. ASCE 94 (1968)
585–603.
[3] U. J2appelt, Elastisch–plastisches Stabilit2atsversagen
d2unnwandiger versteifter Kreiszylinderschalen unter
756 S. Barlag, H. Rothert / International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 37 (2002) 745–756

Axiallast, Institut f2ur Statik, Universit2at Hannover, [6] A.C. Walker, S. Sridharan, Analysis of the behaviour
1997. of axially compressed stringer-sti4ened cylindrical shells,
[4] European convention for constructional steelwork Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Part 2 71 (1981) 563–569.
(ECCS): Buckling of Steel Shells — European [7] MacNeal-Schwendler GmbH, MARC Online
Recommendations No. 56, 4th edition, 1967. Documentation, 1999.
[5] H. Schmidt, I.D2using, Beulversuche an st2ahlernen
Kreiszylinderschalen mit angeschweiNten Ringsteifen
unter AuNendruckbelastung, Technical Report 70,
Universit2at-GH Essen, 1996.