STABILITY OF MULTILAYER COMPOSITE SHELLS IN AXIAL COMPRESSION: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT

The stability of multilayer orthotropic cylindrical shells in axial compression is studied. Formulas for critica lforces are suggested. A number of specific features of orthotropic shells are esiablished. We carried out a comparative analysis of critical stresses obtained theoretically and experimentally. This analysis was based on the results of testing of 163 glass-reinforced plastic shells. This investigation demonstrated good agreement between the theoretical and experimental data. Analysis of the stability tests for metal cylindrical and spherical shells, cylindrical glass-reinforced plastic shells, as well as three-layered and watered shells shows that good or bad agreement between theory and experiment is associated with whether the buckling shape of the shell is uniquely defined or not.