Investigating Mesh Sensitivity in Linear and Non-Linear Buckling Analysis of Composite Cylindrical Shells

This study investigates mesh sensitivity in the buckling analysis of composite cylindrical shells using the finite element methods. Two Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) models with distinct layups were subjected to linear (Eigenvalue) and non-linear (Riks) analyses under axial compression. Mesh sizes ranging from 50 mm to 2.5 mm were tested using Abaqus. The results revealed that the non-linear analysis is more mesh-sensitive and computationally demanding. Model-1 showed better convergence in non-linear analysis, with <1% error, while Model-2 favored linear analysis, with <0.5% error at finer meshes. The comparison of models results with the experimental data highlights the importance of an empirical correction factor. These findings provide practical guidelines for mesh selection in composite shell analysis.