Stability equations for thin elastic barelled shells under external pressure

The paper deals with the elastic stability of thin barelled shells. The stability equations for barelled shell subjected to external pressure are presented. The equations are derived on the base of Donnell-Mushtari-Vlasov (DMV) theory with the use of the minimum of the total potential energy criterion. The numerical investigation on the family of barelled shells of equal volume is carried out. The results of the linear analysis show the relation between the value of the meridional radius of curvature and the buckling load. The non linear analysis is carried out next to compare the post buckling behaviour of the cylindrical shell and the equivalent barelled shells with positive and negative Gaussian curvatures.