On the propagation pressure of long cylindrical shells under external pressure

Local imperfections induced in long tubes subjected to high external pressures can lead to local collapse, from which a propagating buckle can be initiated. This can result in catastrophic collapse of large sections of the structure. The propagation pressure is the lowest pressure at which such a buckle will propagate. For common structural metal tubes with diameter-to-thickness ratios of less than 100, the propagation pressure is typically half...