Formulation and numerical solution of the stability loss problem of elastic-plastic shells of revolution with an elastic filler under combined axisymmetric and torsional loadings

A dynamic statement and a method for numerically solving the buckling problems of elastoplastic shells of revolution with filler in axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric shapes under quasi-static and dynamic loading are presented within the framework of two approaches. In the first approach, the problem of elastic-plastic deformation and buckling of shells of revolution with an elastic filler under combined axisymmetric loading with torsion is formulated in a two-dimensional (generalized axisymmetric) formulation based on the hypotheses of the shells theory of the Timoshenko type and the Winkler foundation. The constitutive relations are written in the cylindrical system of Euler coordinates. For each shell element, a local Lagrangian coordinate system is introduced. Kinematic relations are recorded in the current state metric. The distribution of the displacement velocity components over the shell thickness and strain rate tensors in the local basis is written as the sum of the momentless and moment components, which, in turn, are written as the sum of the symmetric and asymmetric parts in the local and in the general basis. The elastoplastic properties of the shell material are taken into account within the framework of the theory of flow with nonlinear isotropic hardening. To take into account non-axisymmetric forms of buckling, the desired functions (both displacements and forces, moments, contact pressure) are expanded into a Fourier series in the circumferential direction. The variational equations of shell motion are derived from the general equation of dynamics. The contact between the shell and the deformable filler is modeled based on the conditions of non-penetration along the normal and free slip along the tangent. The variational equations of shell dynamics for axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric processes are interconnected through the physical relations of the theory of plasticity. They take into account large axisymmetric shape changes and the instantaneous stress-strain state of the shell. At the initial stage of the nonaxisymmetric buckling process, the deflections are small; therefore, the equations of nonaxisymmetric buckling are obtained as linearized with respect to nonaxisymmetric forms. To initiate nonaxisymmetric buckling modes, initial nonaxisymmetric deflections are introduced. To solve the defining system of equations, a finite-difference method and an explicit time integration scheme of the “cross” type are used. The second approach is based on continuum mechanics hypotheses and implemented in a three-dimensional setting. Both approaches make it possible to simulate the nonlinear subcritical deformation of shells of revolution with an elastic filler, to determine the ultimate (critical) loads in a wide range of loading rates, taking into account geometric shape imperfections, to study the processes of buckling in axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric shapes under dynamic and quasi-static complex loading by tension, compression, torsion, internal and external pressure. The results of numerical simulation are compared with experimental data on the torsion of steel cylindrical elastoplastic shells ( R / h = 1.45) with an elastic filler.