Analysis of thick laminated anisotropic cylindrical shells using a refined shell theory (Q675476)

Bending analysis of arbitrarily laminated, anisotropic panels and closed cylinders using the mixed shear deformation theory is presented. A set of equilibrium, transverse shear compatibility and boundary conditions are obtained by using the mixed variational principle with displacements and transverse shear as independent variables. The zig-zag type displacement is assumed together with piecewise parabolic transverse shear. The initial curvature effect is included in the strain-displacement relations, stress resultants and assumed transverse shear stresses. Two types of shell geometry, infinitely long cylindrical panels and closed cylinders of finite length, are employed in the numerical study.