Abstract
This paper indicates how the RS (reduced stiffness) analytical procedure is applicable to the shell buckling problems with the nonlinearity in elastic fundamental state. The general concept is applied to the pressurised partial cylindrical shell problems, and the elastic and elasto-plastic RS critical loads are compared with fully non-linear numerical results. In this example the simplicities of boundary and loading conditions are treated, however, the paper suggests that the concept could be used for the design estimates of shells of this kind with many other conditions.
