Lower bound buckling strength of axially loaded sandwich cylindrical shell under lateral pressure

Effects of the lateral pressure on the FEM and reduced stiffness lower bound buckling strength of axially loaded sandwich cylindrical shell are examined. Further, a reduced stiffness lower bound buckling strength for the axially loaded sandwich cylindrical shell under lateral pressure is proposed. The effect of the lateral pressure on the FEM and reduced stiffness lower bounds are corresponding; it causes them to reduce slightly. However, reduced stiffness buckling mode shape remains the same. In addition, the proposed reduced stiffness lower bound buckling strength is shown to provide effective and valid for cores having different shear stiffness. It provides comparatively close lower bounds to short axially loaded sandwich cylindrical shells under lateral pressure. Further, it provides a safe lower bound that does not depend on precise geometrical imperfection spectra and lateral pressure and it is simple and easy to employ.