The standard procedure to compute design loads for shell structures as also proposed in design rules is based on the computation of the limit load taking into account the modification of the so-called stability loads due to geometrical imperfections. The imperfections are mostly chosen affine to the buckling patterns, which are solutions of the eigenvalue-problem for the geometrically perfect structure. Thus, the eigenvalue-problems for stability points have to be solved very accurately. In the

more »

... present contribution an adaptive h-refinement procedure is taken for the solution using low order shell elements.