Modelling and behaviour of cylindrical shell structures with helical features

摘要: Spiral welding or bonding is a particularly efficient and cost-effective method of constructing continuous tubes. However the understanding mechanics such structures not yet well developed. This in no small part due to difficulties involved their computational analysis. Cylindrical shells are traditionally modelled using rectangular finite elements oriented parallel meridional circumferential axes. However, spiral features challenging model because orthogonal axes cylinder. Commercial element pre-processors often struggle mesh these with anything other than free triangulation. A superior would consist well-conditioned orthogonally respect helix, termed 'helical mesh', but this requires significant programming effort. helical important if shell as geometric imperfections, residual stresses, weld material heat affected zones, systems adhesives required follow form. Helically wound structural forms widely used different applications that demand cylindrical forms. The most common uses engineering tubes, piles, chimneys pipelines. paper describes powerful procedure developed by authors generate high quality meshes. Special emphasis placed on modelling deviations defined relative appropriate for analysis welded stiffened effect meshing illustrated benchmark examples perfect imperfect cylinders under axial compression.