LOCAL FLEXIBILITY OF CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS AND PIPES AT THE SUPPORT

This article presents a parametric study for the determination of the flexibility and stiffness of a cylindrical shell at its support locati on. The parametric equation incorporates the geometric variables of bo th cylindrical shell and support; namely, the shell radius, thickness, and length, and the support width and embracing angle. A mathematical model has been devised to provide the theoretical data of flexibiliti es for establishing the parametric equation. The model is based on a c ontact stress formulation and uses a cylindrical shell theory. The val idity and accuracy of the proposed parametric equation has been checke d against available experimental results obtained from literature. The re is close agreement between the two. The present study and results s hould be useful to designers who wish to determine the induced support force (or displacement) due to applied displacement (or force) at the support.