Stability analysis of joined isotropic conical shells under axial compression

In this study, the buckling of two joined isotropic conical shells under axial compression and simply supported boundary conditions is investigated. The governing equations are obtained using thin-walled shallow shell theory of Donnell-type and theorem of minimum potential energy. The continuity conditions at the joining section of the cones are appropriate expressions among stress resultants and deformations. The equations are solved by assuming trigonometric response in circumferential and series solution in meridional direction. The results are validated in comparison with the available results in the literature. Effects of semi-vertex angles and meridional lengths on the buckling load and typical mode shape and circumferential wave number are investigated. In addition, the application of the results of this study on the load carrying capacity of these structures is presented. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.