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.     

Nonlinear analysis of doubly curved symmetrically laminated shallow shells with rectangular planform

Summary A multi-mode solution to the dynamic Marguerre-type nonlinear equations is presented for the nonlinear free vibration of doubly curved, symmetrically laminated, imperfect shallow shells of rectangular planform on a Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundation. The shell edges are assumed to be transversely supported and the variation of rotational stiffness is identical along opposite edges. Generalized double Fourier series with time-dependent coefficients and the method of harmonic balance are used in the solution. The boundary condition for the varying rotational stiffness is fulfilled by replacement of bending moments along the four edges by an equivalent lateral pressure. Based on a single-mode approximation numerical results for the amplitude-frequency response of doubly curved isotropic, orthotropic, cross-ply and angle-ply shallow shells with square planform are presented for various boundary conditions, material properties, curvature ratios, initial imperfections, edge tensions, and moduli of the elastic foundation. Graphical results for postbuckling behavior of an imperfect angle-ply cylindrical panel are also presented as a special case.

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Nichtlineares Verhalten zweifach gekrümmter, symmetrisch geschichteter dünner Schalen mit rechteckigem Grundriß

Übersicht Vorgestellt wird eine Mehrfachwellenform-Lösung der dynamischen Gleichungen vom Marguerre-Typ für die nichtlinearen Eigenschwingungen zweifach gekrümmter dünner Schalen aus symmetrischen Schichtungen, die geometrisch imperfekt sind und über einen rechteckigen Grundriß auf einer elastischen Winkler-Pasternak-Bettung lagern. Angenommen wird eine gelenkige Lagerung der Plattenränder mit einer veränderlichen Drehbehinderung, die auf gegenüberliegenden Rändern gleich ist. Zur Lösung werden verallgemeinerte zweifache Fourier-Reihen mit zeitabhängigen Koeffizienten und die Methode der harmonischen Balance benutzt. Die Randbedingung für die veränderliche Drehbehinderung wird dadurch erfüllt, daß die Randmomente durch einen äquivalenten Vertikaldruck ersetzt werden. Mit der Näherung nur einer Wellenform werden numerische Ergebnisse für die Beziehung zwischen Amplitude und Frequenz angegeben; variiert werden dabei die Randbedingungen, die anfänglichen Imperf ektionen, die Krümmungsverhältnisse, die Bettungszahlen und die Materialkonstanten, wobei die Platte entweder isotrop oder bei recht- und schiefwinkliger Schichtung orthotrop ist. Als Sonderfall wird auch das Nachbeulverhalten einer imperfekten, schiefwinklig geschichteten Zylinderschale graphisch dargestellt.

     

Three-dimensional analysis of doubly curved functionally graded magneto-electro-elastic shells

Three-dimensional (3D) solutions for the static analysis of doubly curved functionally graded (FG) magneto-electro-elastic shells are presented by an asymptotic approach. In the present formulation, the twenty-nine basic equations are firstly reduced to ten differential equations in terms of ten primary variables of elastic, electric and magnetic fields. After performing through the mathematical manipulation of nondimensionalization, asymptotic expansion and successive integration, we finally obtain recurrent sets of two-dimensional (2D) governing equations for various order problems. These 2D governing equations are merely those derived in the classical shell theory (CST) based on the extended Love–Kirchhoffs' assumptions. Hence, the CST-type governing equations are derived as a first-order approximation to the 3D magneto-electro-elasticity. The leading-order solutions and higher-order corrections can be determined by treating the CST-type governing equations in a systematic and consistent way. The 3D solutions for the static analysis of doubly curved multilayered and FG magneto-electro-elastic shells are presented to demonstrate the performance of the present asymptotic formulation. The coupling magneto-electro-elastic effect on the structural behavior of the shells is studied.     

Non-linear vibrations of doubly curved shallow shells

Large amplitude (geometrically non-linear) vibrations of doubly curved shallow shells with rectangular base, simply supported at the four edges and subjected to harmonic excitation normal to the surface in the spectral neighbourhood of the fundamental mode are investigated. Two different non-linear strain-displacement relationships, from the Donnell's and Novozhilov's shell theories, are used to calculate the elastic strain energy. In-plane inertia and geometric imperfections are taken into account. The solution is obtained by Lagrangian approach. The non-linear equations of motion are studied by using (i) a code based on arclength continuation method that allows bifurcation analysis and (ii) direct time integration. Numerical results are compared to those available in the literature and convergence of the solution is shown. Interaction of modes having integer ratio among their natural frequencies, giving rise to internal resonances, is discussed. Shell stability under static and dynamic load is also investigated by using continuation method, bifurcation diagram from direct time integration and calculation of the Lyapunov exponents and Lyapunov dimension. Interesting phenomena such as (i) snap-through instability, (ii) subharmonic response, (iii) period doubling bifurcations and (iv) chaotic behaviour have been observed.     

On the accuracy of the multiple scales method for non-linear vibrations of doubly curved shallow shells

Non-linear free and forced vibrations of doubly curved isotropic shallow shells are investigated via multi-modal Galerkin discretization and the method of multiple scales. Donnell’s non-linear shallow shell theory is used and it is assumed that the shell is simply supported with movable edges. By deriving two different forms of the stress function, the equations of motion are reduced to a system of infinite non-linear ordinary differential equations with quadratic and cubic non-linearities. A quadratic relation between the excitation and the fundamental frequency is considered and it is shown that, although in case of hardening non-linearities the results resemble those found via numerical integration or continuation softwares, in case of softening non-linearity the solution breaks down as the amplitude becomes larger than the thickness. Results reveal that, expressing the relation between the excitation and fundamental frequency in this form, which was considered by many researchers as a useful tool in analyzing strong non-linear oscillators, yields in spurious results when the non-linearity becomes of softening type.     

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.     

Geometrically non-linear analysis of arbitrary elastic supported plates and shells using an element-based Lagrangian shell element

In the present paper, the ELF (element-based Lagrangian formulation) 9-node ANS (assumed natural strain) shell element was combined with the spring element for geometrically non-linear analysis of plates and shells sustained by arbitrary elastic edge supports that are subjected to variation in loading.This particular spring element serves as tool for modeling an arbitrary elastic edge support with 6 DOF (degrees of freedom). The elastic edge support was modeled by combining different spring models. The ANS method was used to overcome shear and membrane locking problems inherent in some thin plate and shell problems. In the formulation of the ELF characteristic arrays, the expression of element strains was adopted in the framework of the element natural coordinates. The non-linear analysis results of idealized edge supports were validated against the reference solutions available in the literature. As a result of the numerical test, the combination of the ELF 9-node shell element and spring element shows an exceptional performance for non-linear analysis of plates and shells under elastic edge supports.     

Geometrically non-linear analysis of laminated composite structures using a 4-node co-rotational shell element with enhanced strains

To demonstrate the solutions of linear and geometrically non-linear analysis of laminated composite plates and shells, the co-rotational non-linear formulation of the shell element is presented. The combinations of an enhanced assumed strain (EAS) in the membrane strains and assumed natural strains (ANS) in the shear strains improve the behavior of 4-node shell element. To secure computational efficiency in the incremental non-linear analysis, the present element uses the form of the resultant forces pre-integrated through the thickness. The transverse shear stiffness of the laminates is defined by an equilibrium approach instead of the shear correction factor. Numerical examples of this study show very good agreement with the references.     

Non-linearities in rotation and thickness deformation in a new third-order thickness deformation theory for static and dynamic analysis of isotropic and laminated doubly curved shells

A geometrically non-linear theory is developed for shells of generic shape allowing for third-order thickness and shear deformation and rotary inertia by using eight parameters; geometric imperfections are also taken into account. The geometrically non-linear strain–displacement relationships are derived retaining full non-linear terms in all the 8 parameters, i.e. in-plane and transverse displacements, rotations of the normal and thickness deformation parameters; these relationships are presented in curvilinear coordinates, ready to be implemented in computer codes. Higher order terms in the transverse coordinate are retained in the derivation so that the theory is suitable also for thick laminated shells. Three-dimensional constitutive equations are used for linear elasticity. The theory is applied to circular cylindrical shells complete around the circumference and simply supported at both ends to study initially static finite deformation. Both radially distributed forces and displacement-dependent pressure are used as load and results for different shell theories are compared. Results show that a 6 parameter non-linear shell theory is quite accurate for isotropic shells. Finally, large-amplitude forced vibrations under harmonic excitation are investigated by using the new theory and results are compared to other available theories. The new theory with non-linearity in all the 8 parameters is the only one to predict correctly the thickness deformation; it works accurately for both static and dynamics loads.     

Geometrically nonlinear vibration of laminated composite cylindrical thin shells with non-continuous elastic boundary conditions

The geometrically nonlinear forced vibration response of non-continuous elastic-supported laminated composite thin cylindrical shells is investigated in this paper. Two kinds of non-continuous elastic supports are simulated by using artificial springs, which are point and arc constraints, respectively. By using a set of Chebyshev polynomials as the admissible displacement function, the nonlinear differential equation of motion of the shell subjected to periodic radial point loading is obtained through the Lagrange equations, in which the geometric nonlinearity is considered by using Donnell’s nonlinear shell theory. Then, these equations are solved by using the numerical method to obtain nonlinear amplitude–frequency response curves. The numerical results illustrate the effects of spring stiffness and constraint range on the nonlinear forced vibration of points-supported and arcs-supported laminated composite cylindrical shells. The results reveal that the geometric nonlinearity of the shell can be changed by adjusting the values of support stiffness and distribution areas of support, and the values of circumferential and radial stiffness have a more significant influence on amplitude–frequency response than the axial and torsional stiffness.

     

A nonlinear theory for doubly curved anisotropic sandwich shells with transversely compressible core

In the present paper, an advanced geometrically nonlinear shell theory of doubly curved structural sandwich panels with transversely compressible core is presented. The model is based on the adoption of the Kirchhoff theory for the face sheets and a second/third order power series expansion for the core displacements. The theory accounts for dynamic effects as well as for initial geometric imperfections. In the v. Kármán sense, large displacement theory is employed with respect to the transverse direction while the displacement gradients with respect to the tangential directions are assumed to be small. The equations of motion are derived by means of Hamilton’s principle and hold valid for all types of elastic and elastic–plastic material models. The theory is illustrated by an analysis of the elastic buckling and postbuckling behavior of flat and curved sandwich panels using an extended Galerkin scheme. Owing to the assumed transverse flexibility of the core, both the global and the local (face wrinkling) instability modes can be addressed.     

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.     

Asymptotic analysis of laminated plates and shallow shells

It was noted long ago [1] that the material strength theory develops both by improving computational methods and by widening the physical foundations. In the present paper, we develop a computational technique based on asymptotic methods, first of all, on the homogenization method [2, 3]. A modification of the homogenization method for plates periodic in the horizontal projection was proposed in [4], where the bending of a homogeneous plate with periodically repeating inhomogeneities on its surface was studied. A more detailed asymptotic analysis of elastic plates periodic in the horizontal projection can be found, e.g., in [5, 6]. In [6], three asymptotic approximations were considered, local problems on the periodicity cell were obtained for them, and the solvability of these problems was proved. In [7], it was shown that the techniques developed for plates periodic in the horizontal projection can also be used for laminated plates. In [7], this was illustrated by an example of asymptotic analysis of an isotropic plate symmetric with respect to the midplane.     

宏纤维压电层合壳结构非线性屈曲分析

以纤维压电MFC （Micro-Fiber Composite）层合圆柱壳为例,研究了其在准静态屈曲下的非线性振动响应。基于Reissner-Mindlin一阶剪切变形假设,采用大转角几何全非线性理论,建立了带有纤维角度的MFC层合壳结构的非线性屈曲与振动分析模型。采用全拉格朗日方程（Total Lagrange Formulation）对非线性模型进行线性化处理,并结合Riks-Wempner弦长控制迭代法进行准静态求解,然后在每个解点进行自由振动分析。通过与文献数据对比验证了所建模型的准确性。并用该计算模型对MFC-d31层合圆柱壳进行屈曲及自由振动分析,研究了几何参数（曲率、厚度、纤维角度和不同外加电压）对频率的影响。结果表明,厚度、曲率和纤维增强角度对结构的临界载荷有显著的影响,且结构的临界载荷随着上述参数的增大而增大;电场强度可对不同纤维角度壳体的自振频率进行调节,能够提高结构的临界载荷;纤维角度越大,电压对结构自振频率调节的效果越明显。     

Non-linear stability of doubly curved thin shallow shells on rectangular plan with small geometrical imperfections

Summary This paper deals with some theoretical developments of the problem of stability of doubly curved thin shallow shells on a rectangular plan. After some critical references to results obtained in earlier studies using the linear theory of stability, the problem of elastic equilibrium in the nonlinear range is approached and solved for some types of shells using piecewise linearisation. Load-displacement curves up to post-buckling are obtained. Deflections not conforming to structural symmetry are also considered. The influence of small geometric imperfections deviates the load-displacement curve to other equilibrium positions and hence a shell with imperfections attains its snapping point at a lower load than one without. A comparison with some experimental studies by other authors is given in the appendix.

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Sommario Lo studio tratta di alcuni sviluppi teorici sul problema della stabilità dell'equilibrio delle volte sottili ribassate a doppia curvatura su pianta rettangolare. Nella prima parte vengono esposte alcune considerazioni critiche circa i risultati ottenuti in parte dall'Autore in lavori precedenti con la teoria lineare della stabilità. Il problema dell'equilibrio elastico viene poi affrontato in campo non-lineare e risolto per alcuni tipi di volte mediante una linearizzazione a tratti; le curve carico-spostamento vengono ricavate fino al comportamento post-critico. Vengono altresì ricavate curve carico-spostamento corrispondenti a deformate che non conservano la simmetria di struttura e di carico.La presenza di piccole imperfezioni devia la curva caricospostamento verso altre posizioni di equilibrio e la curva relativa raggiunge il punto di instabilità progressiva per valori del carico notevolmente inferiori di quelli relativi alla stessa volta senza imperfezioni. Infine si riporta in appendice un confronto con risultati sperimentali di altri Autori.

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Study supported by the C.N.R. (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche).     

复合材料层合圆柱壳的有限元分析

本文根据Reissner-Mindlin型的全局位移场(一阶和三阶)，应用有限元预测一修正法，数值计算和分析了机械载荷作用下复合材料层合圆柱壳的挠度和横向剪应力。首先按照一般的有限元分析过程(没有引入剪切修正系数)计算出层合圆柱壳的挠度预测值；然后利用Lagrange插值构造横向剪应力的一般形式，使得满足层间连续和表面上为零的条件，通过最小二乘法拟合三维应力平衡方程获得横向剪应力；最后在单元上计算和引入剪切修正系数，再经过有限元分析计算出层合圆柱壳的挠度修正值。数值计算结果与三维线弹性解的比较表明，挠度修正值和横向剪应力的精度是十分满意的。     

Geometrically non-linear dynamics of composite four-bar mechanisms

This work intends to demonstrate the importance of a geometrically nonlinear cross-sectional analysis of certain composite beam-based four-bar mechanisms in predicting system dynamic characteristics. All component bars of the mechanism are made of fiber reinforced laminates and have thin rectangular cross-sections. They could, in general, be pre-twisted and/or possess initial curvature, either by design or by defect. They are linked to each other by means of revolute joints. We restrict ourselves to linear materials with small strains within each elastic body (beam). Each component of the mechanism is modeled as a beam based on geometrically non-linear 3-D elasticity theory. The component problems are thus split into 2-D analyses of reference beam cross-sections and non-linear 1-D analyses along the three beam reference curves. For the thin rectangular cross-sections considered here, the 2-D cross-sectional non-linearity is also overwhelming. This can be perceived from the fact that such sections constitute a limiting case between thin-walled open and closed sections, thus inviting the non-linear phenomena observed in both. The strong elastic couplings of anisotropic composite laminates complicate the model further. However, a powerful mathematical tool called the Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM) not only enables such a dimensional reduction, but also provides asymptotically correct analytical solutions to the non-linear cross-sectional analysis. Such closed-form solutions are used here in conjunction with numerical techniques for the rest of the problem to predict multi-body dynamic responses more quickly and accurately than would otherwise be possible. The analysis methodology can be viewed as a three-step procedure: First, the cross-sectional properties of each bar of the mechanism is determined analytically based on an asymptotic procedure, starting from Classical Laminated Shell Theory (CLST) and taking advantage of its thin strip geometry. Second, the dynamic response of the non-linear, flexible four-bar mechanism is simulated by treating each bar as a 1-D beam, discretized using finite elements, and employing energy-preserving and -decaying time integration schemes for unconditional stability. Finally, local 3-D deformations and stresses in the entire system are recovered, based on the 1-D responses predicted in the previous step. With the model, tools and procedure in place, we identify and investigate a few four-bar mechanism problems where the cross-sectional non-linearities are significant in predicting better and critical system dynamic characteristics. This is carried out by varying stacking sequences (i.e. the arrangement of ply orientations within a laminate) and material properties, and speculating on the dominating diagonal and coupling terms in the closed-form non-linear beam stiffness matrix. A numerical example is presented which illustrates the importance of 2-D cross-sectional non-linearities and the behavior of the system is also observed by using commercial software (I-DEAS + NASTRAN + ADAMS).     

Buckling analysis of stringer-stiffened laminated cylindrical shells with nonuniform eccentricity

In this study, the influence of nonuniformity of eccentricity of stringers on the general axial buckling load of stiffened laminated cylindrical shells with simply supported end conditions is investigated. The critical loads are calculated using Love’s First-order Shear Deformation Theory and solved using the Rayleigh-Ritz procedure. The effects of the shell length-to-radius ratio, shell thickness-to-radius ratio, number of stringers, and stringers depth-to-width ratio on the buckling load of nonuniformly eccentric shells, are examined. The research demonstrates that an appropriate nonuniform distribution of eccentricity of stringers leads the buckling load to increase significantly.     

Postbuckling analysis of axially-loaded laminated cylindrical shells with piezoelectric actuators

A compressive postbuckling analysis is presented for a laminated cylindrical shell with piezoelectric actuators subjected to the combined action of mechanical, electric and thermal loads. The temperature field considered is assumed to be a uniform distribution over the shell surface and through the shell thickness, and the electric field is assumed to be the transverse component E_Z only. The material properties are assumed to be independent of the temperature and the electric field. The governing equations are based on the classical shell theory with von Kármán–Donnell-type kinematic nonlinearity. The nonlinear prebuckling deformations and initial geometric imperfections of the shell are both taken into account. A boundary layer theory of shell buckling, which includes the effects of nonlinear prebuckling deformations, large deflections in the postbuckling range, and initial geometric imperfections of the shell, is extended to the case of hybrid laminated cylindrical shells. A singular perturbation technique is employed to determine the buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. The numerical illustrations concern the compressive postbuckling behavior of perfect and imperfect, cross-ply laminated cylindrical thin shells with fully covered or embedded piezoelectric actuators under different sets of thermal and electric loading conditions. The effects played by temperature rise, applied voltage, shell geometric parameter, stacking sequence, as well as initial geometric imperfections are studied.