Application of von-Karman model for laminated composite singly curved shells with non-uniform boundary conditions

Abstract

The industrial applications of singly curved shells significantly increased in modern engineering structures and several of those have non-uniform boundary conditions. A detailed relative performance study for the non-uniformly restricted shells can popularize their use further among practicing engineers. The literature review confirms that there is dearth of research studies in this area. This paper aims to fill up that void. A finite element code of C0 continuity combining von-Karman strains, first order shear deformation theory and eight noded curved elements is proposed. Wide variety of shell problems are solved for different boundary conditions, laminations, radii of curvatures, thickness, and plan dimensions. Relative nondimensional deflections and fundamental frequencies are studied for varying boundaries. It is concluded that although the performances of shells are comparable for different boundaries, the shells with CCCC edges offer better performances. These shells should have longer span along the arch direction, a symmetric 16°/-16°/-16°/16° laminate, side/thickness = 100, and radius of curvature/plan = 0.75 to achieve minimum deflection and maximum fundamental frequency.

Keywords:

• Laminated composites
• cylindrical shells
• von-Karman nonlinearity
• finite-element method
• fundamental frequencies

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.