Locally imperfect conical shells under uniform external pressure

Conical shells are extensively used in numerous types of engineering structures with various types of geometric imperfections. Nonetheless, quite few are the studies investigating the effect of special types of imperfections on the buckling load of conical shells under external pressure. In the present study, depression type of imperfection which is found in the zone of longitudinal weld is in the center of attention. To this end, this paper reports on different simulations including finite element results and discusses the effect of this type of imperfection on the critical buckling load of such structures. Obtained results are compared with the previous corresponding test results, some theoretical predictions, recommendations and codes.