Inelastic stability of conical tanks

The aim of this investigation is to study the effect of different imperfection shapes on the inelastic stability of liquid-filled conical tanks and to determine the critical imperfection shape that would lead to the minimum inelastic limit load. The study is carried out numerically using a self-developed shell element used to simulate a number of conical tanks having an imperfection shape in the form of Fourier series of equal coefficients. The Fourier analysis of the buckling modes indicates that the existence of axisymmetric imperfection will lead to the critical inelastic limit load for conical tanks.