Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
A unified analytical method is presented for evaluating the generic buckling behaviours of simply-supported thick orthotropic cylindrical shells subjected to both axial compression and lateral pressure. The thick shell theory and Flugge type equations are employed. The equilibrium equations of shells become particularly simple in the chosen space by considering an appropriate transformation and utilizing some previous material constant definitions due to Brunelle. Hence, comprehensive solutions are found to this problem so that the curves presented in the text are generic rather than specific. The analysis is for the restricted case of a single homogeneous layer. The effects of various parameters on buckling loads are studied. The results indicate that the buckling coefficient increases with increasing generalised rigidity ratio D* but decreases with increasing generalised Poisson's ratio ε. The results of a reduced set of equations agree with those obtained by previous investigators.