Creep buckling of cylinders under uniform external pressure: Finite element simulation of buckling tests. (1st October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Combescure, Alain; Jullien, Jean-Francois
• Is Part Of: International journal of solids and structures. Volume 124(2017)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2017-10-01
• Subjects: Buckling -- Finite elements -- Experiments -- Creep -- External pressure -- Imperfection; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Elastic solids -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Constructions, Théorie des -- Périodiques; Solides élastiques -- Périodiques; Elastic solids; Mechanics, Applied; Structural analysis (Engineering); Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2017.05.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7683

Abstract

Highlights: Gives a set of experimental results on creep buckling of thin cylinders under external pressure. Compares 3 finite element modeling of creep buckling. Compares predicted values with experimental buckling times. Shows the power-law dependence of creep buckling time on the imperfection amplitude of the critical buckling mode. Proposes an efficient axi-symmetric coupled Fourier model which is 100 times faster than standard 3D Shell finite element one. Graphical abstract: Abstract: This paper is dedicated to creep buckling predictions. Thin walled cylinders having an aspect ratio of one are subjected to an uniform external pressure. The material is a special type of nickel which "creeps" at ambient temperature. The material parameters for the creep law are identified from experimental results. The creep failure experiments are described and corresponding failure times are given. The paper then compares three alternatives of finite element modeling of the experiments (3D Shell with integration through the thickness with a periodic or non periodic initial imperfection are compared with COMU quasi axi-symmetric imperfect shell element). These 3 modeling show consistent predictions. The simulation time is a hundred times faster with the COMU model. It is shown that the prediction of failure time of these experiments is extremely sensitive to the initial imperfection amplitude. The effect of creep law modeling is also important. Finally a parametric analysis on different types of cylinders is given: some general trends are proposed for this type of delicate predictions.