A non-discretization computational approach for buckling of cylindrical shallow shells

A non-discretization approach based on the principle of extremum energy is presented to study the buckling of thin cylindrical shallow shells of rectangular planform based on Kirchhoff-Love theory. This study is of practical engineering importance in the design of civil, mechanical, marine and aerospace structures because it predicts the ultimate buckling loads. The Ritz procedure with pb-2 shape functions is employed to develop an effective numerical algorithm capable of providing computational solutions of great accuracy. The effects of various boundary conditions, such as free, simply supported and clamped constraints, are examined. The accuracy of numerical results is established through a convergence and comparison studies. Selected benchmark buckling load parameters covering certain range of shell shallowness ratios will be presented.