Finite Element Large Deflection Analysis of Cylindrical Shells with Different Types of Cutouts
Nonlinear finite element is used to find the elastic buckling load and the maximum deflection for cylindrical shells subjected to unsymmetrical pressures due to wind. These shells are assumed to be fixed at the bottom and closed at the top. The shells have length to radius (L/R) ratio of 2, and radius to thickness (R/T) ratio of 500. The shells have rectangular and circular cutouts located at the midheight of the cylinders facing the wind direction (θ = 0°) and perpendicular to the wind (θ = 90°).