Natural vibrations and stability of loaded cylindrical shells partially filled with fluid, taking into account gravitational effects

The paper presents the results of studying circular cylindrical shells partially filled with an ideal liquid and subjected to uniform external and internal hydrostatic pressure. The behavior of an elastic structure and a compressible fluid is described in the framework of the classical nonlinear theory of shells, based on the Kirchhoff – Love hypotheses, and the Euler equations. The problem is solved using a semi-analytical version of the finite element method. The influence of the level of fluid in the shell on the critical values of external pressure is analyzed with and without consideration of gravitational effects on the free and lateral surfaces of the fluid. Shells with different boundary conditions and linear dimensions are considered. It has been shown that for certain geometrical parameters the gravitational field can significantly affect the dynamic characteristics of the structure. •An elastic shell, filled with a fluid, is subjected to uniform external pressure.•Gravitational effects are taken into account on the fluid–structure interface.•Problem is solved using a semi-analytical finite element method.•Shells with different boundary conditions and linear dimensions were analyzed.•Influence of the gravity field on the frequencies of a shell can be significant.