Use of the differential quadrature method for the buckling analysis of cylindrical shell panels

Buckling loads are determined for thin isotropic circular cylindrical shell panels subject to radial pressure using the new differential quadrature method. The Budiansky stability theory serves as the basis of the analysis. For this problem involving four boundary lines a two-dimensional approach is used, and a detailed convergence study is carried out to determine the appropriate analysis parameters for the method. Numerical results are determined for a total of twelve cylindrical shell panel cases for a number of different boundary support conditions. The results are compared with analytical and finite element method results. Conclusions are drawn about the technical significance of the results and the solution process.