• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.6 no.7
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• pp.827-839
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• 1998

This paper presents a study of buckling of the multi-vaulted cylindrical shell ("Aster"), under an axial compression alone or combined with an external pressure. This shell which was presented in a recent paper is a self-stiffened structure having a satisfactory behaviour and a higher buckling strength under external pressure than a circular cylindrical shell with the same dimensions. The results of this study emphasize the interest of the behaviour of the "Aster" shell under two other types of loading, revealing an acceptable level of strength which is favorable for an expansion of its use in other areas.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.451-460
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• 1996

We propose a new shape of cylindrical shell formed by multiples vaults which gives a self-stiffening against buckling. By an experimental and numerical study of cylindrical shells with a repeated defect, on the circumferential direction made only of outside oriented wave-defects, we show that multiple vault cylindrical shells can have a good behaviour in buckling. An optimal behaviour is obtained by optimization of the vaults number, with conduces to a special multiple vault cylindrical shell named "ASTER shell".