Pogorelov’s Theory of Creases, and Point Loads on Thin Cylindrical Shells

Abstract

A.V. Pogorelov developed a little-known theory of thin elastic shells. He considered a class of piecewise inextensional deformations, in which relatively sharp creases separate areas of inextensional deformation. Within a crease the deformation is inextensional in the plane perpendicular to the crease. The local form of the crease minimises the strain energy, which has bending and stretching components. The paper outlines the theory, applies it to radiallyloaded open-topped cylindrical shells, and compares it with measurements by Holst and Lukasiewicz.