Critical Initial Imperfection (I)

Abstract

The critical load of a system undergoing bifurcation is highly sensitive to initial imperfections, as we have seen in Chapter 3. This is particularly the case for domes and shell structures (Hutchinson and Koiter, 1970 [76]). In the design of such structures, it is preferable to consider the “worst” or, in other words, “most detrimental” imperfection that reduces the critical load most rapidly. Such worst imperfection is called the critical imperfection in this book.