Effect of elastic support on the linear buckling response of quasi-isotropic cylindrical shells under axial compression

Cylindrical shells under compressive loading are highly sensitive to boundary conditions. Considering that these structures are connected by surrounding structural components with finite stiffness, an accurate evaluation of the effects of their boundary stiffness is crucial in their design. As such, this work investigates the effect of elastic boundary conditions on the linear buckling behaviour of cylindrical shells under compressive loading. To achieve this goal, a virtual testing investigation on the effect of translational and rotational constraints to the linear buckling response of a quasi-isotropic cylinder subjected to axial compression is performed. Subsequently, the effect of many kinds of constraints on linear buckling behaviour is discussed and interesting insights regarding a significant coupling effect between the radial and tangential translational constraints are given. Results obtained from virtual testing show that seven recurrent buckling mode shapes occur with seven corresponding similar linear buckling loads. Therefore, based on these similarities, seven groups of classical boundary conditions are introduced to classify all possible linear buckling behaviours exhibited by the cylinder under consideration. Finally, these findings can support the development of theoretical models for cascade, or flange, designs of multiple connecting cylinders.