A local-global model for the non-linear analysis of locally imperfect shells of revolution

This paper presents a finite element methodology for the study of the geometrically nonlinear behavior of shells of revolution. As an alternative to the conventional two-dimensional finite element discretization of the shell domain, a local-global analysis technique which takes advantage of the axisymmetric characteristics of the shell is used, thus striving to achieve computational simplicity in terms of modeling and analysis efforts. An example of a column-supported cylinder is considered to demonstrate the use of the localglobal method. The application of this method for the study of the effect of a localized imperfection on the load carrying capacity is also demonstrated.