The influence of the stiffness coefficients on the imperfection sensitivity of laminated cylindrical shells

The sensitivity of laminated cylindrical shell to imperfection is considered, via the initial post-buckling analysis, on the bases of Sanders’ theory. A general code is developed and used in studying the effect of the stretching–bending coupling () and the flexural () stiffness matrices on the buckling and the post-buckling behavior of the shell, thereby improving its behavior.