A generalized variational principle of composite shallow shells and its application to the folded shell

In this paper, a generalized variational principle of elastodynamics in composite shallow shells with edge beams is presented, and its equivalence to corresponding basic equations, ridge conditions and boundary conditions is proved. Then this variational principle is applied to the folded shell structure. By means of double series, the approximate analytical solutions for statics and dynamics under common boundary conditions are obtained. The comparison of our results with FEM computations and experiments shows the analytical solutions have good convergence and their accuracy is quite satisfactory.