A Koiterʹs perturbation strategy for the imperfection sensitivity analysis of thin-walled structures with residual stresses

This paper suggests a strategy for the imperfection sensitivity analysis of elastic thin-walled structures with notable residual stresses. The analysis is carried out by means of a Koiterʹs perturbation approach. The concept of imperfection, traditionally associated with geometric and load factors, is extended in this paper to the residual stresses. The strategy is implemented in a FEM code. A comparison of the obtained results allows a discussion on the accuracy and the influence of the different coefficients connected to the asymptotic analysis of the residual stresses.