Effect of weld reinforcement on axial plastic buckling of welded steel cylindrical shells

The effect of weld reinforcement on axial plastic buckling of welded steel cylindrical shells is investigated through experimental and numerical buckling analysis using six welded steel cylindrical shell specimens. The relationship between the amplitude of weld reinforcement and the axial plastic buckling critical load is explored. The effect of the material yield strength and the number of circumferential welds on the axial plastic buckling is studied. Results show that circumferential weld reinforcement represents a severe imperfect form of axially compressed welded steel cylindrical shells and the axial plastic buckling critical load decreases with the increment of the mean amplitude of circumferential weld reinforcement. The material yield strength and the number of circumferential welds are found to have no significant effect on buckling waveforms; however, the axial plastic buckling critical load can be decreased to some extent with the increase of the number of circumferential welds.