The cylindrical shell is one of the main structural parts in ocean engineering structures.These cylinders are mostly of medium length,which means that the radius of the cross section is significantly smaller than the length of the cylindrical shell.From the viewpoint of the shell theory,they belong to the mid-long cylindrical shell category.To solve mechanical problems on this kind of structure,especially a cracked cylindrical shell,analysis based on shell theory is necessary.At present the generally used solving system for the mid-long cylindrical shell is too complicated,difficult to solve,and inapplicable to engineering.This paper introduced the Sanders' mid-long cylindrical shell theory which reduces the difficulty of the solution process,and will be suitable for solving problems with complicated boundary conditions.On this basis,the engineering applications of this theory were discussed in conjunction with the problem of a mid-long cylindrical shell having a circumferential crack.The solution process is simple,and the closed form solution can usually be found.In practical engineering applications,it gives satisfactory precision.
