Abstract
Buckling of cooling towers subjected to axisymmetric loads are discussed based on the results from the finite element method. The analysed towers are similar to the model used in the research by Dr.I. Mungan and the results are discussed in the relation with IASS Recommendation. Firstly the scheme of the present nonlinear buckling analysis is explained based on the finite element method for rotational shells. The analysis is proceeded to know the post-buckling pathes where one axi-symmetric and one asymmetric deformation are used. The post-buckling pathes in the present case show the stable bifurcation irresprctive of the axial and lateral compression loads. Secondly the results are compared with those by Dr.I. Mungan and the IASS formula for buckling. The boundary condition is found to be influential on the buckling stresses, especially in the case of shells due to a large lateral compression. This tendency was not found in the experiments by Dr.I. Mungan. Thirdly the influence of the height from the throat to the top of the shell is investigated. Dr.I. Mungan stated that this factor would not affect the magnitude of the buckling stresses and any caution is not stressed in the IASS recommendation. However the present analysis shows this factor plays an important role in the mechanism in the buckling.
