IMPERFECTION SENSITIVITY OF INTERNALLY-PRESSURIZED TORISPHERICAL SHELLS

The imperfection sensitivity of torispherical shells subjected to inte rnal pressure was investigated numerically, using the finite element d isplacement method. Imperfection patterns affine to the first buckling mode at the bifurcation points of the perfect structure were consider ed. Load-normal displacement curves were obtained for the pre- and pos tbuckling regions of the perfect computation model and also for imperf ect computation models with different imperfection amplitudes. The dep endence of the critical pressure and the postbuckling minimum on the i mperfection amplitudes was presented graphically. Torispherical shells subjected to internal pressure failed to demonstrate any significant imperfection sensitivity for the imperfection patterns analysed.