Buckling analysis of an orthotropic thin shell of revolution using differential quadrature

A method is developed to predict the buckling characteristics of an orthotropic shell of revolution of arbitrary meridian subjected to a normal pressure. The solution is given within the context of the linearized Sanders-Budiansky shell buckling theory and makes use of the differential quadrature method. Numerical results for buckling pressures and mode shapes are given for complete toroidal shells. Both completely free shells and shells with circumferential line restraints are covered. The loadings considered consist either of uniform pressure or circumferential bands of constant pressure. It is demonstrated that the differential quadrature method is numerically stable and converges. For isotropic toroidal shells, good agreement is observed with previously published analytical and finite element results. New results for buckling pressures and mode numbers are given for orthotropic shells and for band loaded shells.