Buckling Analysis of Panels and Comparative Study on ABS and DNV Rules

In this study, buckling analysis of panel types of marine and offshore structural components with initial imperfection under the combined action of lateral pressure and axial compression is carried out. The governing differential equations for thin and moderately thick shells are developed in terms of components of the displacement field. The governing ordinary differential equations are then discretized and reduced to a linear system of homogeneous equations employing the differential quadrature method. The results obtained by the present method are verified with results obtained by finite element method and those reported in the literature. Design rules of two classification societies, namely American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) are briefly presented and results are compared with rules requirements of these societies. It is observed that DNV rules are more conservative than ABS rules for calculation of buckling loads of marine and offshore structures. Effects of several parameters including the curvature, initial imperfection, geometric ratios and loading conditions on the buckling behavior of a cylindrical shell and a curved panel are investigated.