Buckling Analysis of Circular Cylinders with Initial Imperfection Subjected to Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure hulls of submerged structures are generally designed as circular cylinders, spheres or cones with form of axisymmetric shell of revolution to withstand the high external pressure of deep ocean. The compressive buckling (implosion) due to hydrostatic pressure is the main concern of structural design of pressure hull and many design codes are provided for it. It is well-known that the buckling behavior of thin shell of revolution is very sensitive to the initial geometric imperfections introduced during the construction process of cutting and welding. Hence, the theoretical solutions for thin shells with perfect geometry often provide much higher buckling pressures than the measured data in tests or real structures and more precise structural analysis techniques are prerequisite for the safe design of pressure hulls. So this paper dealt with various buckling pressure estimation techniques for unstiffened circular cylinder under hydrostatic pressure conditions. The empirical design equations, eigenvalue analysis technique for critical pressure and collapse behaviors of thin cylindrical shells by the incremental nonlinear FE analysis were applied. Finally all the obtained results were compared with those of the pressure chamber test for the aluminium models. The pros and cons of each techniques were discussed and the most rational approach for the implosion of circular cylinder was recommended.