Abstract: An analysis of the postbuckling strength of stringer stiffened cylindrical shells, subject to axial compression is described. The method used in this paper is based on plastic analysis extending Murray’s method which was used to analyse postbuckling behaviour of stiffened plates loaded axially and in bending. The mechanism tripping of stringer and crumpling of shell plate is described based on how the test specimens are deformed after buckling.Finally the theoretical analyses are compared with the experimental results of steel specimens. The theoretical results coincide quite well with the experimental data. It should therefore be possible to use the method described here to analyse postbuckling strength of stringer stiffened cylindrical shells and to estimate energy absorption capabilities in relation to collision studies.

Key words: thin film, pattern formation, electrohydrodynamic instability