Effect of geometric imperfections on non-linear stability of circular cylindrical shells conveying fluid

Circular cylindrical shells conveying incompressible flow are addressed in this study; they lose stability by divergence when the flow velocity reaches a critical value. The divergence is strongly subcritical, becoming supercritical for larger amplitudes. Therefore the shell, if perturbed from the initial configuration, has severe deformations causing failure much before the critical velocity predicted by the linear threshold. Both Donnell's non-linear theory retaining in-plane displacements and the Sanders-Koiter non-linear theory are used for the shell. The fluid is modelled by potential flow theory but the effect of steady viscous forces is taken into account. Geometric imperfections are introduced and fully studied. Non-classical boundary conditions are used to simulate the conditions of experimental tests in a water tunnel. Comparison of numerical and experimental results is performed.     

An alternative procedure for the non-linear vibration analysis of fluid-filled cylindrical shells

Using Donnell non-linear shallow shell equations in terms of the displacements and the potential flow theory, this work presents a qualitatively accurate low dimensional model to study the non-linear dynamic behavior and stability of a fluid-filled cylindrical shell under lateral pressure and axial loading. First, the reduced order model is derived taking into account the influence of the driven and companion modes. For this, a modal solution is obtained by a perturbation technique which satisfies exactly the in-plane equilibrium equations and all boundary, continuity, and symmetry conditions. Finally, the equation of motion in the transversal direction is discretized by the Galerkin method. The importance of each mode in the proposed modal expansion is studied using the proper orthogonal decomposition. The quality of the proposed model is corroborated by studying the convergence of frequency–amplitude relations, resonance curves, bifurcation diagrams, and time responses. The parametric analysis clarifies the influence of the lateral and axial loads on the non-linear vibrations and stability of the liquid-filled shell. Finally, the global response of the system is investigated in order to quantify the degree of safety of the shell in the presence of external perturbations through the use of bifurcation diagrams and basins of attraction. This allows one to evaluate the safety and dynamic integrity of the cylindrical shell in a dynamic environment.     

Low-Dimensional Galerkin Models for Nonlinear Vibration and Instability Analysis of Cylindrical Shells

This paper discusses the derivation of discrete low-dimensional models for the non-linear vibration analysis of thin shells. In order to understand the peculiarities inherent to this class of structural problems, the non-linear vibrations and dynamic stability of a circular cylindrical shell subjected to dynamic axial loads are analyzed. This choice is based on the fact that cylindrical shells exhibit a highly non-linear behavior under both static and dynamic axial loads. Geometric non-linearities due to finite-amplitude shell motions are considered by using Donnell’s nonlinear shallow shell theory. A perturbation procedure, validated in previous studies, is used to derive a general expression for the non-linear vibration modes and the discretized equations of motion are obtained by the Galerkin method. The responses of several low-dimensional models are compared. These are used to study the influence of the modelling on the convergence of critical loads, bifurcation diagrams, attractors and large amplitude responses of the shell. It is shown that rather low-dimensional and properly selected models can describe with good accuracy the response of the shell up to very large vibration amplitudes.     

Buckling of thick cylindrical shells under external pressure: A new analytical expression for the critical load and comparison with elasticity solutions

In this paper a set of stability equations for thick cylindrical shells is derived and solved analytically. The set is obtained by integration of the differential stability equations across the thickness of the shell. The effects of transverse shear and the non-linear variation of the stresses and displacements are accounted for with the aid of the higher order shell theory proposed by [Voyiadjis, G.Z. and Shi, G., 1991, A refined two-dimensional theory for thick cylindrical shells, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 27(3), 261–282.]. For a thick shell under external hydrostatic pressure, the stability equations are solved analytically and yield an improved expression for the buckling load. Reference solutions are also obtained by solving numerically the differential stability equations. Both the full set that contains strains and rotations as well as the simplified set that contains rotations only were solved numerically. The relative magnitude of shear strain and rotation was examined and the effect of thickness was quantified. Differences between the benchmark solutions and the analytic expressions based on the refined theory and the classical shell theory are analysed and discussed. It is shown that the new analytic expression provides significantly improved predictions compared to the formula based on thin shell theory.     

Non-linear stability problem of an open conical sandwich shell under external pressure and compression

The stability problem of a shallow sandwich shell of conical segment shape, subjected to uniform external pressure and compression along generators is analysed based on the finitedeformation theory. With the help of the Ritz method the system of five non-linear, heterogeneous equations is obtained. They are the basic equations of elastic stability of the shell under consideration. The results of numerical calculations are presented in diagrams, which show the influence of basic mechanical properties and geometric parameters of the shell on the value of the upper and lower critical load.     

Axisymmetric static and dynamic buckling of hollow microspheres

Syntactic foams are particulate composites that are obtained by dispersing thin hollow inclusions in a matrix material. The wide spectrum of applications of these composites in naval and aerospace structures has fostered a multitude of theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies on the mechanical behavior of syntactic foams and their constituents. In this work, we study static and dynamic axisymmetric buckling of single hollow spherical particles modeled as non-linear thin shells. Specifically, we compare theoretical predictions obtained by using Donnell, Sanders–Koiter, and Teng–Hong non-linear shell theories. The equations of motion of the particle are obtained from Hamilton׳s principle, and the Galerkin method is used to formulate a tractable non-linear system of coupled ordinary differential equations. An iterative solution procedure based on the modified Newton–Raphson method is developed to estimate the critical static load of the microballoon, and alternative methodologies of reduced complexity are further discussed. For dynamic buckling analysis, a Newmark-type integration scheme is integrated with the modified Newton–Raphson method to evaluate the transient response of the shell. Results are specialized to glass particles, and a parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of microballoon wall thickness on the predictions of the selected non-linear shell theories. Comparison with finite element predictions demonstrates that Sanders–Koiter theory provides accurate estimates of the static critical load for a wide set of particle wall thicknesses. On the other hand, Donnell and Teng–Hong theories should be considered valid only for very thin particles, with the latter theory generally providing better agreement with finite element findings due to its more complete kinematics. In this context, we also demonstrate that a full non-linear analysis is required when considering thicker shells, while simplified treatment can be utilized for thin particles. For dynamic buckling, we confirm the accuracy of Sanders–Koiter theory for all the considered particle thicknesses and of Teng–Hong and Donnell theories for very thin particles.     

The effect of non-linear interaction between gas and particle velocities on the hydrodynamic stability in the Blasius boundary layer

A weakly non-linear stability analysis of two phase flow in the Blasius boundary layer has been carried out. Two mathematical models have been established based on the perturbation shape preserved assumption and linear stability model of two phase flow proposed by Stuart [On the non-linear mechanics of hydrodynamic stability, J. Fluid Mech. 4 (1958) 1-21] and Saffman [On the stability of laminar flow of dusty gas, J. Fluid Mech. 13 (1962) 120-128], respectively. The perturbation model and the perturbation energy balance equation are solved numerically with Chebyshev spectral method and artificial boundary condition. The numerical program adopted in the present study is verified by comparison with former works. The results show that the non-linear interaction between mean flow and perturbation reduces the growth rate of perturbation, while the non-linear interaction between particle phase and gas phase increases the growth rate of perturbation amplitude. The distortion of the mean flow caused by the Reynolds stress modifies the rate of transfer of energy from the mean flow to disturbance. The existence of particle alleviates the distortedness. The result also indicates that the weakly non-linear stability theory is consistent to linear stability theory, and the addition of fine and coarse particles reduces and increases the critical Reynolds number.     

Non-linear thermal stability of bimetallic shallow shells of revolution

In this paper, a theory for non-linear thermal stability of open bimetallic shallow shells of revolution under a uniform temperature field is developed. To apply the theory to the particular case of some elastic elements in precision instruments, this paper discusses two important kinds of shells, the bimetallic shallow spherical shell with a circular hole at the center and the bimetallic truncated shallow conical shell. The more accurate solutions are obtained by the modified iteration method. All results are expressed in curves which may be applied directly to the design of the elastic elements.     

Flow-induced deformation of an elastic membrane adhering to a wall

The flow-induced deformation of a two-dimensional membrane with a circular unstressed shape clamped at the two ends on a plane wall at an arbitrary contact angle is considered. Working under the auspices of generalized shell theory, the membrane is allowed to develop in-plane tensions, transverse tensions, and bending moments determined by the curvature of the resting and deformed shapes. A system of ordinary differential equations governing the membrane shape is formulated, and the associated boundary-value problem is solved by numerical methods. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the deformation of a clamped membrane due to gravity or a negative transmural pressure. The shell formulation is coupled with a boundary-integral formulation for Stokes flow, and an efficient iterative scheme is developed to describe deformed equilibrium shapes of a membrane attached to a plane wall in the presence of an overpassing shear flow. Computations for different contact angles and shear rates reveal a wide variety of profiles and illustrate the distribution of the membrane tension developing due to the flow-induced deformation.     

Numerical and experimental dynamic characteristics of thin-film membranes

Presented is a total-Lagrangian displacement-based non-linear finite-element model of thin-film membranes for static and dynamic large-displacement analyses. The membrane theory fully accounts for geometric non-linearities. Fully non-linear static analysis followed by linear modal analysis is performed for an inflated circular cylindrical Kapton membrane tube under different pressures, and for a rectangular membrane under different tension loads at four corners. Finite-element results show that shell modes dominate the dynamics of the inflated tube when the inflation pressure is low, and that vibration modes localized along four edges dominate the dynamics of the rectangular membrane. Numerical dynamic characteristics of the two membrane structures were experimentally verified using a Polytec PI PSV-200 scanning laser vibrometer and an EAGLE-500 8-camera motion analysis system.     

Geometrically non-linear free and forced vibrations of simply supported circular cylindrical shells: A semi-analytical approach

The non-linear free and forced vibrations of simply supported thin circular cylindrical shells are investigated using Lagrange's equations and an improved transverse displacement expansion. The purpose of this approach was to provide engineers and designers with an easy method for determining the shell non-linear mode shapes, with their corresponding amplitude dependent non-linear frequencies. The Donnell non-linear shell theory has been used and the flexural deformations at large vibration amplitudes have been taken into account. The transverse displacement expansion has been made using two terms including both the driven and the axisymmetric modes, and satisfying the simply supported boundary conditions. The non-linear dynamic variational problem obtained by applying Lagrange's equations was then transformed into a static case by adopting the harmonic balance method. Minimisation of the energy functional with respect to the basic function contribution coefficients has led to a simple non-linear multi-modal equation, the solution of which gives in the case of a single mode assumption an expression for the non-linear frequencies which is much simpler than that derived from the non-linear partial differential equation obtained previously by several authors. Quantitative results based on the present approach have been computed and compared with experimental data. The good agreement found was very satisfactory, in comparison with previous old and recent theoretical approaches, based on sophisticated numerical methods, such as the finite element method (FEM), the method of normal forms (MNF), and analytical methods, such as the perturbation method.     

Non-linear modal equations for thin elastic shells

In this paper we derive non-linear modal equations for thin elastic shells of arbitrary geometry. Geometric non-linearities are accounted for by utilizing the strain-displacement relations of the Sanders-Koiter non-linear shell theory. Arbitrary initial imperfections are accounted for and the shell thickness is free to vary within the limits of thin shell theory. The derivation gives the coefficients of the modal equations as integral expressions over the surface of the shell. The resulting equations are well-suited for practical applications. Weighting factors are introduced to allow for reduction of our results to the Love shell theory and to the Donnell approximation. The equations are specialized for a finite simply supported circular cylinder and numerical results are compared to those previously published in the literature.     

双曲率壳的力学研究进展

双曲率壳是飞机、汽车以及船舶上常见的薄壁结构，其中性面可看作是一条动曲线沿着另一条曲线扫掠所形成的曲面．双曲率壳的非线性理论不断更新推动着双曲率壳力学行为的研究．随着工程实际应用的不断改进，如功能梯度材料(FGM)，加筋壳，弹性地基模型等的引入，双曲率壳在强度、变形和稳定性等方面的研究得到了进一步促进．本文首先回顾了双曲率壳结构非线性力学基本理论发展过程，主要阐述了经典的二维板壳理论，如Donnell 薄壳理论，一阶剪切变形壳理论，高阶剪切变形壳理论，和三维板壳理论的理论体系及基本公式，并对几种理论之间的联系和应用进行了总结和讨论，简述了近几十年来国内外学者在双曲率壳非线性弯曲、稳定性和振动等方面的最新研究成果，最后对双曲率壳体研究目前的局限性和未来的研究方向进行了探讨．     

Stability analysis of cylindrical shells containing a fluid with axial and circumferential velocity components

The stability of an elastic circular cylindrical shell of revolution interacting with a compressible liquid (gas) flow having both axial and tangential components is analyzed. The behavior of the fluid is studied within the framework of potential theory. The elastic shell is described in terms of the classical theory of shells. Numerical solution of the problem is performed using a semianalytical finite element method. Results of numerical experiments for shells with different boundary conditions and geometric dimensions are presented. The effects of fluid rotation on the critical flow velocity and the effect of axial fluid flow on the critical angular velocity of fluid rotation were estimated.     

A new non-linear higher-order shear deformation theory for large-amplitude vibrations of laminated doubly curved shells

A consistent higher-order shear deformation non-linear theory is developed for shells of generic shape, taking geometric imperfections into account. The geometrically non-linear strain-displacement relationships are derived retaining full non-linear terms in the in-plane displacements; they are presented in curvilinear coordinates in a formulation ready to be implemented. Then, large-amplitude forced vibrations of a simply supported, laminated circular cylindrical shell are studied (i) by using the developed theory, and (ii) keeping only non-linear terms of the von Kármán type. Results show that inaccurate results are obtained by keeping only non-linear terms of the von Kármán type for vibration amplitudes of about two times the shell thickness for the studied case.     

Dynamics of the geometrically non-linear analysis of anisotropic laminated cylindrical shells

A general approach, based on shearable shell theory, to predict the influence of geometric non-linearities on the natural frequencies of an elastic anisotropic laminated cylindrical shell incorporating large displacements and rotations is presented in this paper. The effects of shear deformations and rotary inertia are taken into account in the equations of motion. The hybrid finite element approach and shearable shell theory are used to determine the shape function matrix. The analytical solution is divided into two parts. In part one, the displacement functions are obtained by the exact solution of the equilibrium equations of a cylindrical shell based on shearable shell theory instead of the usually used and more arbitrary interpolating polynomials. The mass and linear stiffness matrices are derived by exact analytical integration. In part two, the modal coefficients are obtained, using Green's exact strain-displacement relations, for these displacement functions. The second- and third-order non-linear stiffness matrices are then calculated by precise analytical integration and superimposed on the linear part of equations to establish the non-linear modal equations. Comparison with available results is satisfactorily good.     

Thermoelastic stability of layered shallow shells

The phenomena associated with thermal snap-through and snap-buckling of symmetrically layered shallow shells of polygonal planform are studied by means of a two-degree-of-freedom model derived from a Ritz–Galerkin approximation. The composite structure is homogenized considering perfect bond and the kinematic assumptions of the first order shear deformation theory. The simply supported shell edges are assumed to be prevented from in-plane motions. The geometrically non-linear, quasi-static equilibrium conditions are derived according to the von Kármán–Tsien theory and simplified by the Berger-approximation. A unifying non-dimensional formulation of the elastic stability analysis is presented that turns out to be independent of the special polygonal planform of the simply supported shallow shell.     

Effect of the geometry on the non-linear vibration of circular cylindrical shells

The non-linear vibration of simply supported, circular cylindrical shells is analysed. Geometric non-linearities due to finite-amplitude shell motion are considered by using Donnell's non-linear shallow-shell theory; the effect of viscous structural damping is taken into account. A discretization method based on a series expansion of an unlimited number of linear modes, including axisymmetric and asymmetric modes, following the Galerkin procedure, is developed. Both driven and companion modes are included, allowing for travelling-wave response of the shell. Axisymmetric modes are included because they are essential in simulating the inward mean deflection of the oscillation with respect to the equilibrium position. The fundamental role of the axisymmetric modes is confirmed and the role of higher order asymmetric modes is clarified in order to obtain the correct character of the circular cylindrical shell non-linearity. The effect of the geometric shell characteristics, i.e., radius, length and thickness, on the non-linear behaviour is analysed: very short or thick shells display a hardening non-linearity; conversely, a softening type non-linearity is found in a wide range of shell geometries.