Instability of tube-stiffened prolate domes under uniform external pressure

The paper reports on experimental tests carried out on three thin-walled hemi-ellipsoidal prolate domes which were tested to destruction. The domes were circumferentially stiffened with helically-wound internal tubing in their flanks. The tubing was subjected to various values of internal pressure, prior to destruction and this showed that the domes could be made stronger by internally pressurising the internal tubing. The author also points out that in addition to serving as stiffening, the tubing can act as a container for liquids and gases.