Experimental buckling of internal integral ring-stiffened cylinders

Abstract

Twenty aluminum cylinders with internal, integral tee-stiffener rings were tested under combinations of axisymmetrical axial load and external lateral pressure to determine buckling characteristics. Seven geometric types were tested; the primary variables were the ratios of cylinder radius to shell thickness, stiffener spacing to shell thickness, and stiffener spacing to stiffener depth. An eighth type, which had variable stiffener spacing and depth, was tested under a lateral pressure varying linearly in the axial direction. Strain-gage data were obtained to aid in evaluation of results. The test results agree well with the theoretical work used for the design.