Thin cylindrical shells subjected to concentrated loads

Abstract

A single differential equation of the eighth order in the radial displacement is given for the equilibrium of an element of a cylindrical shell undergoing small displacements due to a laterally distributed external load. The radial deflection of thin cylindrical shells subjected to concentrated, equal and opposite forces, acting at the ends of a vertical diameter, is analyzed by the Fourier method. Applications of the solution of the problem of the infinitely long cylinder to the problems of a couple acting on an infinitely long cylinder in the direction of either the generatrix or the circumference are also discussed.