Elastic buckling of Cassini ovaloidal shells under external pressure - theoretical study

Abstract

The paper is devoted to shells of revolution with positive and negative Gaussian curvature. The meridian of shells is a plane curve in the Cassini oval form. Geometrical properties of the middle surface of the shell of revolution based on this curve are presented. The membrane state of stress of a family of shells with constant capacity and mass under uniform pressure is described analytically and numerically with the use of the FEM (the ANSYS system). The critical pressure, buckling modes and equilibrium paths of analysed shells are calculated numerically. The advantages of a pressure vessel made in the form of Cassini ovaloidal shell, such as the lack of edge effect and a stable post-buckling behaviour, are pointed out. The results of the analytical and numerical investigations are compared and presented in tables and figures.