Small-Scaled Experimental Research on the Buckling of Steel Containment Under Axial Compression

Focusing on the general and localized elastoplastic buckling of the cylindrical section of steel containment under axial pressure, nonlinear finite element method (FEM) and small-scaled experiments are applied to analysis. First, FEM analysis is conducted considering nonlinear items caused by geometric shape imperfection and elastoplastic constitutive model by the arc-length method RIKS procedure. Parameter sensitivity of the buckling is revealed. Then, small-scaled experiments are carried out. Buckles status is observed, and key geometrical parameters’ influence are found. The results show that cylindrical buckling under axial pressure is sensitive to geometrical parameters and imperfection. It is necessary to employ more realistic parameters to the FEM analysis via accurate geometrical measurement. This research has reference value for the design and fabrication of AP series steel containment vessel.