Indentation of ring-stiffened cylinders by wedge-shaped indenters—Part 1: An experimental and finite element investigation

This is the first of a two part account of the indentation of ring-stiffened cylinders with fully fixed ends loaded centrally at mid-span by a wedge-shaped indenter. In this paper, the results of experimental tests on three similar cylinders of 315 mm outer diameter are presented and discussed. The cylinders were stiffened internally with rectangular sectioned rings and deep frames (bulkheads). Strains and deformations were determined in the dent-affected zone particularly along the top generator and around the circumferential mid-section. The cylinders were loaded up to failure, i.e. until rupture of the shell occurred. A finite element analysis for a geometrically identical specimen is also presented and compared to the experimental results.