In this research, softening and ratcheting behaviors ofSS316L cantilevered cylindrical shells under cyclic bending load wereinvestigated. Experimental tests were carried out by a Servo-Hydraulic INSTRON 8802 machine.Force-control and displacement-control loadings were appliedandthe effects of displacement amplitude,mean force,loading historyand cutout positionwere examined.Under displacement-control loading, softening behaviorwasobserveddue to growth ofovalizationand it was shown that as thedisplacement amplitude increases, softening rate and density of plastic energy increase.Accumulation of the plastic strain or ratcheting phenomenon occurredunderforce-control loading with nonzero mean force. Increase of themean force accompaniedwithan increase inthe accumulation of the plastic deformation and its rate.In loading history, it was seen that prior load with higher force amplitude retards the ratcheting behavior and plastic deformation ofsubsequent load with smaller force amplitude.In addition, due to sensitivity of cutout to the bending moment,as the position of the cutout changesfrom the middle of shell towardsthe cantilevered end, the accumulation of theplastic deformation increases.

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