THE DEVELOPMENT OF SHELL IMPERFECTION MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

The development of techniques for measuring geometric imperfections is traced from the sixties to the present day. First, the early laborato ry experiments that initiated the concepts and developed the basic tec hniques are outlined. Imperfection measurements of large and full-scal e shells are then considered, including those performed in industry. M odern, more sophisticated, semi-automated measurement techniques as we ll as imperfection data banks are discussed. Finally, a design methodo logy which includes the correlation of realistic imperfections with ma nufacturing techniques is outlined, and ways ave indicated of inclusio n of the relevant imperfection data into design methods.