GBT-based Finite Element Formulation for Elastic Buckling Analysis of Conical Shells

The paper presents a finite element formulation based on the Generalised Beam Theory (GBT), for the analysis of elastic buckling behaviour of conical shells under various loading and boundary conditions. The GBT approach provides a general solution for 1st and 2nd order analysis using bar elements capable of describing the global and local deformations. Because of the cross-section variation specific to conical shells, the mechanical and geometric properties are no longer constant along the bar axis as it is the case of cylinders and prismatic thin-walled structures. This formulation is validated by comparison between GBT results and values obtained by means of shell finite element analyses. The study covers simply supported conical shells under axial compression. The study also presents a possible practical application on oil platforms.