Buckling analysis of filament-wound thick composite cylinder under hydrostatic pressure

Abstract

Underwater vehicles that operate in deep waters require a pressure hull to maintain the sufficient strength and stiffness against external hydrostatic pressure. We investigated the validity of the finite element method (FEM) that is applied to a buckling analysis of the filament-wound composite cylinder, subjected to an external hydrostatic pressure. Two methods were suggested for the buckling analysis of a filament-wound thick composite cylinder under hydrostatic pressure: using the equivalent properties of the composite, and using stacking sequence. The hydrostatic pressure test was conducted to verify the FEA. Test results were compared with the previous results obtained by FEM on the buckling of a filament-wound composite cylinder under hydrostatic pressure. FEM analysis results were in good agreement with the test results. The difference between FEM results and the test results was approximately 1 similar to 5%.