Stability of Orthotropic Corrugated Cylindrical Shells

A technique for stability analysis of cylindrical shells with a corrugated midsurface is proposed. The wave crests are directed along the generatrix. The relations of shell theory include terms of higher order of smallness than those in the Mushtari–Donnell–Vlasov theory. The problem is solved using a variational equation. The Lamé parameter and curvature radius are variable and approximated by a discrete Fourier transform. The critical load and buckling mode are determined in solving an infinite system of equations for the coefficients of expansion of the resolving functions into trigonometric series. The solution accuracy increases owing to the presence of an aggregate of independent subsystems. Singularities in the buckling modes of corrugated shells corresponding to the minimum critical loads are determined. The basic, practically important conclusion is that both isotropic and orthotropic shells with sinusoidal corrugation are efficient only when their length, which depends on the waveformation parameters and the geometric and mechanical characteristics, is small