Multimode Interaction in Axially Stiffened Cylindrical Shells

Abstract
A number of studies show that nonlinear interaction between a shortwave local panel buckling mode and a longwave overall shell buckling mode usually causes strong imperfection sensitivity in stiffened shells. Interaction is particularly strong for simultaneous or nearly simultaneous modes. Mode interaction between two overall buckling modes, as well as interaction between two overall and one local mode, has received much less attention. The present study indicates that for certain imperfection combinations, such mode interactions are important. On the other hand, in most cases, interaction between one overall mode and one local mode governs.