Buckling of thick cylindrical shells under external pressure: a new analytical expression for the critical load and comparison with elasticity solutions (Q835907)

The theory of \textit{G. Z. Voyiadjis} and \textit{G. Shi} [Int. J. Solids Struct. 27, No.~3, 261--282 (1991; Zbl 0731.73082)] is used in this article for estimation of stress and moment resultants and for the derivation of an improved analytical expression for buckling load for thick isotropic shells under external hydrostatic pressure. The accuracy of the derived expressions is assessed against benchmark results obtained from the numerical solution of differential stability equations of \textit{V. V. Novozhilov} [Foundations of the nonlinear elasticity theory. Rochester, N. Y.: Graylock Press (1953; Zbl 0051.16305)]. It is shown that the new analytic expressions provide significantly improved predictions compared to the formula based on the thin shell theory.