This paper aims to study the effects of various geometric parameters, such as ply angles, side length, aspect ratio, and curvature, on the buckling behavior of composite cylindrical panels under external pressure.
A implicit nonlinear buckling analysis model is proposed, in which large strain and overall Lagrangian method are selected, and the pressure is gradually increased with equal steps to capture the buckling deformation process. The study results are investigated from mechanical and physical perspectives.
Study results indicate that the external pressure buckling behaviors of the cylindrical panels are greatly influenced by the geometric parameters: the buckling deformation reduces with increasing the content of the 90° layer, while which increases with increasing the side length and aspect ratio. The buckling external pressure rises with the increase of curvature and content of 0° layer, and declines with the increase of side length and aspect ratio. The shape and location of the buckling region change with the increase of the side length and curvature.
The buckling behaviors of composite cylindrical panels under external pressure are first presented by using implicit nonlinear buckling analysis. The study results can provide guidance for the structural design of composite cylindrical panels under external pressure.
