Buckling of Initially Imperfect Axially Compressed Cylindrical Shells

The effects of imperfections on the buckling strength of pressurized cylinders under axial compression are studied. The imperfection factor is considered in the finite-deflection compatibility equation, as well as in the equilibrium equation. A new relation to express the imperfection as an explicit exponential function of pressure and radius thickness ratio is proposed. A method for finding the exponential function is described, and the solution for the
critical stress is found in a fairly simple form. The relation of decrease of stability with respect to magnitude of imperfections if found.