EXPERIMENTAL BUCKLING ANALYSIS OF THIN

CYLINDRICAL SHELL

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of

passing the subject Structural lab-1 (CE69019)

By
Bhukya Anil Kumar 24CE65R16
Musunuri Anjani 24CE65R17
Souvik Pramanik 24CE65R18
Sushil Kumar 24CE65R19
Y. Poorna Chandraswamy 24CE65R20
Atul Kumar Gupta 24CE65R21
B. Satyanarayana Reddy 24CE91R06

Under the Guidance of

Prof. L. S. Ramachandran

Department of Civil Engineering

IIT Kharagpur
 Acknowledgement
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our mentor, Prof. L.S.
Ramachandran, for his invaluable time and effort throughout the semester.
His guidance, insightful advice, and constructive suggestions were
instrumental in the successful completion of this project.
We also wish to thank the lab assistants and support staff for their essential
contributions and assistance, for which we are deeply grateful.
Lastly, we affirm that this project was completed solely by our group
members and was not the work of any external parties.

Bhukya Anil Kumar 24CE65R16

Musunuri Anjani 24CE65R17
Souvik Pramanik 24CE65R18
Sushil Kumar 24CE65R19
Y. Poorna Chandraswamy 24CE65R20
Atul Kumar Gupta 24CE65R21
B. Satyanarayana Reddy 24CE91R06

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY THEORY 03

BUCKLING 03

FORMS OF BUCKLING 03

TYPES OF BUCKLING 05

FACTORS INFLUENCING BUCKLING 05

PREVENTION OF BUCKLING 06

EXPERIMENT DETAILS 07

PIPE SECTION SPECIFICATION 07

DOG BONE TENSILE TEST 07

BUCKLING TEST 09

MODEL ANALYSIS 13

CONCLUSION 16

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INTRODUCTORY THEORY

BUCKLING

In structural engineering, buckling is the sudden change in shape (deformation) of

a structural component under load, such as the bowing of
a column under compression or the wrinkling of a plate under shear. If a structure is
subjected to a gradually increasing load, when the load reaches a critical level, a
member may suddenly change shape and the structure and component is said to
have buckled.

FORMS OF BUCKLING

COLUMNS

 The ratio of the effective length of a column to the least radius of gyration of
its cross section is called the slenderness ratio (sometimes expressed with
the Greek letter lambda, λ). This ratio affords a means of classifying columns
and their failure mode.
 If the load on a column is applied through the centre (centroid) of its cross
section, it is called an axial load. A load at any other point in the cross section
is known as an eccentric load.
 A short column under the action of an axial load will fail by direct compression
before it buckles, but a long column loaded in the same manner will fail by
springing suddenly outward laterally (buckling) in a bending mode.
 The buckling mode of deflection is considered a failure mode, and it generally
occurs before the axial compression stresses (direct compression) can cause
failure of the material by yielding or fracture of that compression member.

 A short steel column is one whose slenderness ratio does not exceed 50; an
intermediate length steel column has a slenderness ratio ranging from about
50 to 200, and its behaviour is dominated by the strength limit of the material,
while a long steel column may be assumed to have a slenderness ratio
greater than 200 and its behaviour is dominated by the modulus of elasticity of
the material.
 A short concrete column is one having a ratio of unsupported length to least
dimension of the cross section equal to or less than 10. If the ratio is greater

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 than 10, it is considered a long column (sometimes referred to as a slender
column).
 Timber columns may be classified as short columns if the ratio of the length to
least dimension of the cross section is equal to or less than 10.
 When the applied load reaches the Euler load, sometimes called the critical
load, the column comes to be in a state of unstable equilibrium. At that load,
the introduction of the slightest lateral force will cause the column to fail by
suddenly "jumping" to a new configuration, and the column is said to have
buckled.
The formula derived by Euler for long slender columns is

Fc=( )

Where,
Fc = maximum or critical force (vertical load on column)
E = modulus of elasticity.
I = smallest area moment of inertia (second moment of area) of the cross-
section of the column.
L = unsupported length of column.
KL = is the effective length of the column.
K is the column effective length factor, whose value depends on the conditions
of end support of the column, as follows:-
 For both ends pinned (hinged, free to rotate) K=1.0
 For both ends fixed K=0.50
 For one end fixed and other end is pinned K=0.699
 For one end fixed and the other end free to move laterally K=2

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TYPES OF BUCKLING
1. Elastic Buckling: Occurs when a slender column is subjected to
compressive loads, leading to lateral deflection before material yield.
2. Inelastic Buckling: Happens in shorter columns where material yielding
occurs before buckling, and the material's strength affects the buckling load.
3. Local Buckling: This occurs in columns with non-uniform cross-sections or in
thin-walled sections, where part of the cross-section buckles while the rest
remains intact.
4. Overall Buckling: Involves the entire column structure buckling, typically
seen in slender columns.
5. Flexural Buckling: This type occurs when the load causes the column to
bend about its weak axis, often seen in columns subjected to eccentric loads.
6. Torsional Buckling: Occurs when a column experiences twisting about its
longitudinal axis, often in thin-walled sections.

FACTORS INFLUENCING BUCKLING

Several factors influence buckling in columns, affecting their stability and load-
carrying capacity. Key factors include,
1. Column Length: Longer columns are more prone to buckling due to
increased slenderness.
2. Cross-Sectional Area: The shape and size of the cross-section determine
the moment of inertia, impacting buckling resistance.
3. Material Properties: The yield strength and elastic modulus of the material
play critical roles in determining buckling behaviour.
4. Slenderness Ratio: This is the ratio of the effective length to the radius of
gyration. Higher ratios indicate a greater tendency for buckling.
5. End Conditions: The type of support (fixed, pinned, or free) significantly
affects the column's effective length and buckling behaviour.
6. Loading Conditions: The type of load (axial, eccentric, or lateral) and its
magnitude can influence buckling. Eccentric loads increase the likelihood of
lateral deflection.
7. Imperfections: Initial geometric imperfections or material flaws can greatly
reduce a column's buckling strength.

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 8. Temperature Effects: Changes in temperature can affect material properties
and induce additional stresses, influencing buckling potential.
9. Bracing and Support: The presence of lateral supports or braces can
significantly enhance stability and reduce effective length.
10. Load Duration: Long-term loading can lead to creep in materials, which may
affect their buckling resistance over time.

PREVENTION OF BUCKLING
Preventing buckling in columns involves several strategies related to design,
material selection, and structural support. Here are some key methods:
1. Increase Column Size: Using a larger cross-sectional area increases the
moment of inertia, reducing the likelihood of buckling.
2. Shorten the Column Length: Reducing the height of the column minimizes
the slenderness ratio, which decreases the risk of buckling.
3. Use Stiffening Elements: Adding braces or lateral supports can help
maintain column stability and reduce the effective length.
4. Select Appropriate Materials: Choosing materials with higher yield strengths
can improve buckling resistance, especially in inelastic buckling scenarios.
5. Optimize Column Shape: Using shapes that distribute stress more
effectively, like I-beams or hollow sections, can enhance stability.
6. Eccentric Loads: Ensure that loads are applied centrally to prevent lateral
deflections that can lead to buckling.
7. Use Composite Materials: Combining materials can increase strength and
stiffness while reducing weight.
8. Increase Effective Length: In certain configurations, changing the support
conditions (e.g., fixing both ends) can enhance stability.
9. Regular Inspections: Periodic checks for any signs of distress or
deformation can help identify potential issues before they lead to buckling.

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EXPERIMENT DETAILS

PIPE SECTION SPECIFICATION

Outer diameter = 60mm;
Inner diameter = 58mm;
Shell thickness = 1mm;

DOG BONE TENSILE TEST

OBJECTIVE
To determine the Young’s modulus and Poisson's ratio of the material using two dog
bone specimens prepared from pipe sections used in a buckling test.
SAMPLE PREPARATION
Two dog bone specimens were prepared from the pipe sections:
1. Specimen 1: Used to directly determine Young’s modulus.
2. Specimen 2: Equipped with strain gauges to measure strains for Poisson's
ratio calculation.

Steel Pipe cut and shaped as dog bone

PROCEDURE
1. Specimen 1 (Young's Modulus Measurement)
o The specimen was placed in a Universal Testing Machine (UTM).
o A displacement rate of 2 mm/min was applied.
o Young’s modulus (E) was calculated directly from the machine
software.
2. Specimen 2 (Poisson's Ratio Measurement)
o Two strain gauges were attached:
 Longitudinal strain gauge to measure axial strain.
 Transverse strain gauge to measure lateral strain.
o The specimen was placed in a Universal Testing Machine (UTM).
o A displacement rate of 2 mm/min was applied.

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 o Longitudinal and lateral strains were recorded for each load increment.
o Poisson's ratio was calculated using the ratio of transverse to
longitudinal strain.

Specimen after failure Readings from strain gauge

RESULT
1. Specimen 1 (Young's Modulus Measurement)
Young’s modulus, E=1.8×105 MPa.

Results From UTM

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 2. Specimen 2 (Poisson's Ratio Measurement
Load(KN) Longitudinal Strain(I) Lateral Strain(II) Poisson Ratio=II/I
1 182 -22 0.121
2 282 -32 0.113
3 394 -57 0.145
4 496 -88 0.177
5 676 -160 0.237
6 767 -190 0.248
7 775 -228 0.294
8 946 -268 0.283
9 1036 -297 0.287
10 1154 -359 0.311
11 1268 -559 0.441
12 1455 -579 0.398

Average value of Poisson ratio=0.25

BUCKLING TEST
OBJECTIVE
To determine the critical load, deflection, and buckling behaviour of pipe specimens.
SAMPLE PREPARATION
1. Three specimens, each 550 mm in length, were prepared from the given pipe
sections.
2. Strain gauges were attached to two of the three specimens:
o Transverse strain gauge (to measure lateral strain).
o Longitudinal strain gauge (to measure axial strain).
PROCEDURE
1. Setup:
o Each specimen was fixed in an upright position for the buckling test in
a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) under compressive load.
o Two dial gauges were positioned perpendicularly at the midpoint of
each specimen to measure lateral deflection during buckling.

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 2. Testing:
o Compressive load was applied at a displacement rate of 1 mm/min.
o Lateral deflections were recorded at each load increment.
3. Strain Measurements:
o For specimens 2 and 3, strain gauge readings (both longitudinal and
transverse) were recorded at each load increment to observe strain
behaviour under buckling conditions.

1st Specimen placed in UTM 2nd Specimen with strain gauges

RESULTS
1. Sample 1
Results found to be inconsistent and absurd due to local buckling (elephant foot
buckling) near the support of column.

1st specimen after elephant foot buckling

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 2. SAMPLE 2 & 3
Sample 2 Sample 3
Load (kn) Deflection (mm) Deflection (mm)
Dial Guage 1 Dial Guage 2 Dial Guage 1 Dial Guage 2
0.5 0.03 0.00 0.03 0.02
1 0.06 0.01 0.06 0.01
1.5 0.10 0.02 0.10 0.01
2 0.13 0.02 0.13 0.01
3 0.20 0.02 0.21 0.02
4 0.27 0.03 0.28 0.03
5 0.33 0.01 0.35 0.00
6 0.40 0.00 0.42 0.03
7 0.47 0.00 0.50 0.03
8 0.54 0.03 0.57 0.03
10 0.67 0.03 0.71 0.02
12 0.81 0.00 0.86 0.01
14 0.95 0.03 1.01 0.01
16 1.08 0.00 1.15 0.03
18 1.22 0.00 1.29 0.02
20 1.35 0.01 1.43 0.01
24 1.62 0.02 1.72 0.01
28 2.01 0.02 2.14 0.01
30 2.15 0.03 2.29 0.01
36 2.55 0.01 2.71 0.03
40 2.84 0.00 3.02 0.02
46 2.70 0.03 2.87 0.03
50 2.30 0.00 2.45 0.03
56 1.90 0.00 2.02 0.02
60 1.63 0.02 1.73 0.02
66 1.23 0.03 1.31 0.01
68 1.10 0.03 1.17 0.02
Maximum buckling occurred at 40 kn for both the cases.

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RESULTS FROM UTM
 Specimen 1: Failure load 86 KN
 Specimen 2: Failure load 101 KN
 Specimen 3: Failure load 77 KN

Sample 1

Sample 2

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 Sample 3

MODEL ANALYSIS

ABAQUS ANALYSIS

This Abaqus model simulates the buckling behavior of a thin-walled pipe under axial
loading. The objective is to analyze the pipe’s behaviou under buckling and compare
with our experimental data.

MODEL

 Geometry: Inner Diameter: 58 mm, Length: 550 mm, Wall Thickness: 1 mm

 Material Properties: Young’s Modulus: 200,000 MPa, Poisson’s Ratio: 0.3

 Boundary Conditions:

o One End: Fixed translation, free rotation

o Opposite End: Only free axial translation, fress rotation

 Loading: A 1 N load applied axially downward at the free end

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 Model with load and boundary condition

 Mess size: Model is meshed with 2 global seed size.

Meshed Model

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 Deformed Shape vs Undeformed Shape

Model with displacement plotting

BUCLKLNG LOAD

PBuckling = Eigen value × 1 N = 1.3659×105×1 N=1.3659×102 KN.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this report has presented the results of an experimental analysis of a

thin cylindrical shell. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the buckling
behaviour of a thin cylindrical shell under concentrated loads and validate these
findings through finite element analysis using Abaqus. Several key conclusions can be
drawn from this study:

1. Buckling Load: The experimental buckling load of a thin cylindrical shell was found
to be 88 KN, while the finite element analysis using Abaqus yielded a higher buckling
load of 136.59 KN. The significant discrepancy between the experimental and
numerical results can be attributed to various factors, including imperfections in the
physical model, boundary conditions, material properties, and geometric
imperfections.

2. Imperfections and Discrepancies: Imperfections in the physical model, such as

material defects (i.e., corrosion, non-homogeneity), dimensional variations, and
manufacturing tolerances, can reduce the buckling capacity. Differences in boundary
conditions and load application methods between the experiment and the simulation
play a crucial role in the observed disparities.

3. Material Properties: Accurate validation of material properties, including Young's

modulus and Poisson's ratio, is essential for achieving result consistency. Even minor
variations in these properties can lead to differences in the calculated buckling load.

4. Geometric Imperfections: The study emphasizes the importance of controlling

geometric imperfections and experimental errors in order to reduce discrepancies
between experimental and numerical results.

5. Nonlinear Behaviour: The potential nonlinear behaviour of materials under high

loads, particularly plastic deformation, should be considered in future studies.
Adjustments to modelling assumptions may be required to address this aspect.

6. Mesh Density and Convergence: The mesh density and convergence in finite
element analysis software must be rigorously verified to ensure result accuracy.
Coarse mesh or convergence issues can affect the reliability of results.

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Further experimental work should focus on:

 Investigating the influence of different loading conditions, such as eccentric or

lateral loads.

 The effects of non-uniform material properties or composite materials on

buckling behaviour.

 Advanced numerical simulations to capture complex behaviours under various

boundary conditions and imperfections.

By combining experimental data with computational models, a more comprehensive

understanding of buckling in thin cylindrical shells can be achieved, leading to safer
and more efficient structural designs.

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