Stability of conical shells of metal composites beyond the elastic limit

The equations for integral instantaneous characteristics of composite materials consisting of elastoplastic fibers and matrix are derived based on the known hypotheses of uniform strain of stress fields. The constitutive relations for a layered shell are obtained. The numerical algorithm elaborated is used to solve the stability problem for conical boron - aluminum shells under external pressure and axial compression. It is shown that the shells of medium thickness lose their stability under loads whose magnitude depends on the plasticity of the binder. The plasticity has a decisive influence on the choice of the optimum directions of reinforcement. If the parameters of a shell are such that the buckling occurs beyond the elastic limit, the shell must be reinforced in the direction of precritical stresses. However, this is possible only upon separate action of loads.