FEM free vibration and buckling analysis of stiffened toroidal shells

The finite element method (FEM) is used to predict free vibration and buckling characteristics of complete circular toroidal shells with meridional ring stiffeners. New vibration results are presented in the paper which indicate the effect on the natural frequencies of ‘rigid’ meridional ring stiffeners, and of equatorial lines of support. New buckling results are presented which indicate the effect on the buckling pressure of meridional ring stiffeners, and of equatorial lines of support. Results for the natural frequencies and the critical buckling pressure are given for shells covering a wide range of the geometric parameters. Close agreement of results is observed in comparisons with previously published results.