Higher-order theories for composite and sandwich cylindrical shells with C⁰ finite element

Abstract

A higher-order displacement model for the behaviour of symmetric and unsymmetric laminated composite and sandwich cylindrical shells based on C⁰ finite element discretization is presented. Two theories, namely, (1) Geometrically Thin Shell Theory, based on the assumption that the ratio of the shell thickness to radius (h/R) is less than unity, and (2) Geometrically Thick Shell Theory, in which (h/R)² « 1, are developed. These theories incorporate a more realistic non-linear variation of longitudinal displacements through the shell thickness and thus eliminate the use of shear correction coefficients. The influence of (h/R) for a thick shell is studied and the results are compared with those of geometrically thin shell theory and other available results.