Free vibration of a partially liquid-filled and partially submerged, clamped-free circular cylindrical shell

A theoretical analysis and experimental study are presented on the free-vibration characteristics of a thin cantilever cylindrical shell partially submerged in a liquid. Emphasis is placed on the influence of the liquids inside and outside the shell, and on the free vibrations of the shell. In the analysis, the thin elastic shell is assumed to be submerged in a rigid cylindrical container with finite diameter. Coupled bulging-type natural frequencies are calculated for different values of the thickness ratio, aspect ratio, and liquid height. The effect of liquid heights both outside and inside the shell on the bulging-type natural frequency are clarified. The results are summarized in the form of engineering design data from which one can easily predict the natural frequency of a given tank containing a liquid and then partially submerged in a liquid. To confirm the accuracy of the theoretical analysis, an experimental study was conducted on a test cylinder made of polyester film. Excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental results was obtained. (C) 1996 Acoustical Society of America.