Experimental investigation of damaged stiffened cylindrical shells

Thin walled cylindrical shells, stiffened with rings and longitudinal stiffeners, are components in marine and aeronautical structures. The shells may become damaged in use and require some form of repair to restore some of the strength which may have been lost due to the damage. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into the effects of damage, and the efficacy of one method of repair on an orthogonally stiffened shell. The shells were tested with combinations of external pressure and axial compressive loading. It is shown that local damage reduces the strength of the shell and that the addition of the chosen form of strengthening does not restore the intact strength. However, the efficacy of the repair is greater for a combination of pressure and axial loading. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.