CREEP BUCKLING OF CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS UNDER EXTERNAL LATERAL PRESSURE

In this paper, the authors present the results of an analysis of creep buckling of cylindrical shells under external lateral pressure. The n ature of the material, the dimensions of the specimens and the type of boundary per mit an elastic analysis of this phenomenon. The results of tests and calculations show on the one hand that this phenomenon is very sensitive to the presence of initial geometric imperfections; an d on the other hand that it is possible to establish a monograph givin g the critical time of an electroplated nickel shell as a function of its initial imperfections and of the nominal applied load. In this man ner, the same reasoning can be applied to other shells made up of othe r materials that are sensitive to creep (resins, concretes, wood, meta ls at high temperatures, etc.).