A KINEMATIC APPROACH TO CRUSHING OF SHELL STRUCTURES

The crushing process of thin platic shells is formulated as a problem of isometric transformation of surfaces. In terms of mechanics isometric transformation means inextensible deformation of the shell middle surface. In order to identify the mechanism of the formation of folds tests were performed on axially compressed P.V.C. cylindrical panels. A simple method was then developed for predicting the force-shortening characteristics and mean crushing strength of compressed members.