Drilling couples and refined constitutive equations in the resultant geometrically non-linear theory of elastic shells

It is well known that distribution of displacements through the shell thickness is non-linear, in general. We introduce a modified polar decomposition of shell deformation gradient and a vector of deviation from the linear displacement distribution. When strains are assumed to be small, this allows one to propose an explicit definition of the drilling couples which is proportional to tangential components of the deviation vector. The consistent second approximation to the complementary energy density of the geometrically non-linear theory of isotropic elastic shells is constructed. From differentiation of the density we obtain the consistently refined constitutive equations for 2D surface stretch and bending measures. These equations are then inverted for 2D stress resultants and stress couples. The second-order terms in these constitutive equations take consistent account of influence of undeformed midsurface curvatures. The drilling couples are explicitly expressed by the stress couples, undeformed midsurface curvatures, and amplitudes of quadratic part of displacement distribution through the thickness. The drilling couples are shown to be much smaller than the stress couples, and their influence on the stress and strain state of the shell is negligible. However, such very small drilling couples have to be admitted in non-linear analyses of irregular multi-shell structures, e.g. shells with branches, intersections, or technological junctions. In such shell problems six 2D couple resultants are required to preserve the structure of the resultant shell theory at the junctions during entire deformation process.     

On modified displacement version of the non-linear theory of thin shells

We discuss the non-linear theory of thin shells expressed in terms of displacements of the shell reference surface as the only independent field variables. The formulation is based on the principle of virtual work postulated for the reference surface. In our approach: (1) the vector equilibrium equations are represented through components in the deformed contravariant surface base, and using the compatibility conditions the resulting tangential equilibrium equations are additionally simplified, (2) at the shell boundary the new scalar function of displacement derivatives is defined and new sets of four work-conjugate static and geometric boundary conditions are derived, as well as (3) for prescribed shell geometry all non-linear shell relations are generated automatically by two packages set up in Mathematica. The displacement boundary value problem and the associated homogeneous shell buckling problem are generated exactly without using any additional approximations following from errors of the constitutive equations. Both problems are extremely complex and available only in the computer memory. Such an approach allows us to account also for those a few supposedly small terms which may be critical for finding the correct buckling load of shells sensitive to imperfections. This approach is used in the accompanying paper by Opoka and Pietraszkiewicz [Opoka, S., Pietraszkiewicz, W., 2009. On refined analysis of bifurcation buckling for the axially compressed circular cylinder. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 46, 3111–3123.] to perform the refined numerical analysis of bifurcation buckling for the axially compressed circular cylinder.     

On the theory of loaded general cylindrical Cosserat elastic shells

We study the equilibrium of cylindrical Cosserat elastic shells under the action of body loads and tractions and couples distributed along its edges. The shells have arbitrary open or closed cross-sections and are made from an isotropic and homogeneous material. On the end edges, the appropriate resultant forces and resultant moments are prescribed. We consider the problem of Almansi for cylindrical Cosserat shells and obtain a solution expressed in the form of the displacement field.     

Axisymmetric equilibrium states of non-linear elastic cylindrical shells

The problem of nonuniqueness of static axisymmetric solutions for a constrained cylindrical shell under a compressive thrust is studied. Both in the elastic and hyperelastic case, we prove the existence of buckled states. For a simple choice of the elastic potential, a Hamiltonian formulation is provided.     

Much ado about shear correction factors in Timoshenko beam theory

Many shear correction factors have appeared since the inception of Timoshenko beam theory in 1921. While rational bases for them have been offered, there continues to be some reluctance to their full acceptance because the explanations are not totally convincing and their efficacies have not been comprehensively evaluated over a range of application. Herein, three-dimensional static and dynamic information and results for a beam of general (both symmetric and non-symmetric) cross-section are brought to bear on these issues. Only homogeneous, isotropic beams are considered. Semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) computer codes provide static and dynamic response data for our purposes. Greater clarification of issues relating to the bases for shear correction factors can be seen. Also, comparisons of numerical results with Timoshenko beam data will show the effectiveness of these factors beyond the range of application of elementary (Bernoulli–Euler) theory.An issue concerning principal shear axes arose in the definition of shear correction factors for non-symmetric cross-sections. In this method, expressions for the shear energies of two transverse forces applied on the cross-section by beam and three-dimensional elasticity theories are equated to determine the shear correction factors. This led to the necessity for principal shear axes. We will argue against this concept and show that when two forces are applied simultaneously to a cross-section, it leads to an inconsistency. Only one force should be used at a time, and two sets of calculations are needed to establish the shear correction factors for a non-symmetrical cross-section.     

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.     

On consistent first approximations in the general linear theory of thin elastic shells

Summary This paper, as a number of earlier ones, is concerned with the rational establishment of twodimensional differential equations for the approximate analysis of stress and strain in elastic layers with spacecurved middle surface. It has been known for some time that the principal difficulty of this problem is to establish rational two-dimensional constitutive equations which correspond to a given system of constitutive equations for the layer treated as a three-dimensional continuum. — In an earlier publication [18] the point had been made that since two-dimensional shell theory was concerned with stress resultants and stress couples, it ought to be advantageous to derive such a theory from a three-dimensional theory in which force stresses as well as moment stresses were incorporated, even for media which, actually, were incapable of supporting moment stresses. — The earlier work [18] had indicated that, mathematically, the advantages of approaching the derivation of two-dimensional shell theory from three-dimensional moment stress elastically theory had to do with the form of the compatibility equations for strain in such a three-dimensional theory. Briefly, with these three-dimensional compatibility equations it becomes possible to concentrate all three-dimensional aspects of the shell problem in a three-dimensional system of integro-differential constitutive equations, and the task of deriving rational two-dimensional constitutive equations becomes nothing but the task of establishing suitable asymptotic expansions for the solutions of these three-dimensional integro-differential equations. In the work in [18] this task had not actually been carried out. The present paper establishes a significant rearrangement of the system of integro-differential equations, in such a way that the nature of the necessary asymptotic expansions is made evident. — With this, explicit results are obtained which include the system of two-dimensional constitutive equations of Koiter and Sanders for an iotropic homogeneous medium, as well as a system of constitutive equations for a class of shells for which the normals to the middle surface are not directions of elastic symmetry, as well as a system of constitutive equations for shells which are sufficiently soft in transverse shear to make transverse shear deformation a first-order effect.

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Übersicht In dieser Veröffentlichung wird die rationelle Aufstellung der zweidimensionalen Differentialgleichungen für die näherungsweise Bestimmung von Spannungen und Verformungen in elastischen Schichten mit räumlich gekrümmter Mittelfläche behandelt. Es ist bekannt, daß die Hauptschwierigkeit dabei im Aufstellen von zweidimensionalen Stoffgleichungen besteht, die einem gegebenen System von Stoffgleichungen für eine als dreidimensionales Kontinuum behandelten Schicht entsprechen. In einer früheren Veröffentlichung [18] wurde darauf hingewiesen, daß es vorteilhaft sein könnte, eine solche Theorie aus einer dreidimensionalen Theorie abzuleiten, in der sowohl Momentspannungen als auch Kraftspannungen berücksichtigt werden. Das gilt auch für solche Stoffe, die in Wirklichkeit nicht in der Lage sind, Momentenspannungen aufzunehmen. — Es wurde seinerzeit gezeigt, daß die Vorteile einer Ableitung der genäherten zweidimensionalen Schalentheorie aus der dreidimensionalen Elastizitätstheorie mit der Form der Verträglichkeitsbedingungen für die Verformungen in dieser dreidimensionalen Theorie zusammenhängen. Mit Hilfe dieser dreidimensionalen Verträglichkeitsbedingungen wird es möglich, alle dreidimensionalen Aspekte des Schalenproblems in einem dreidimensionalen System von Integro-Differentialgleichungen für das Stoffverhalten zu konzentrieren, so daß die Ableitung zweidimensionaler Stoffgleichungen nichts anderes ist, als das Aufstellen geeigneter asymptotischer Reihenentwicklungen für die Lösungen dieser dreidimensionalen Integro-Differentialgleichungen. Das wurde jedoch in [18] noch nicht ausgeführt. In der vorliegenden Veröffentlichung wird das System der Integro-Diffe-rentialgleichungen so umgeformt, daß die Art der notwendigen asymptotischen Entwicklungen deutlich wird. Auf diese Weise werden explizite Ergebnisse erhalten, die das System der zweidimensionalen Stoffgleichungen von Koiter und Sanders für ein isotropes homogenes Medium einschließen. Desgleichen sind darin enthalten die Stoffgleichungen für eine Klasse von Schalen, für die die Normalen zur Mittelfläche nicht mit den Richtungen der elastischen Symmetrie übereinstimmen, sowie auch die Stoffgleichungen für Schalen, die hinreichend weich gegenüber Querschub sind, so daß Querschubdeformationen als Effekte erster Ordnung auftreten.

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A report on work supported by the Office of Naval Research, Washington, D.C.     

On the theory of elastic shells made from a material with voids

In this paper we present a theory for porous elastic shells using the model of Cosserat surfaces. We employ the Nunziato–Cowin theory of elastic materials with voids and introduce two scalar fields to describe the porosity of the shell: one field characterizes the volume fraction variations along the middle surface, while the other accounts for the changes in volume fraction along the shell thickness. Starting from the basic principles, we first deduce the equations of the nonlinear theory of Cosserat shells with voids. Then, in the context of the linear theory, we prove the uniqueness of solution for the boundary initial value problem. In the case of an isotropic and homogeneous material, we determine the constitutive coefficients for Cosserat shells, by comparison with the results derived from the three-dimensional theory of elastic media with voids. To this aim, we solve two elastostatic problems concerning rectangular plates with voids: the pure bending problem and the extensional deformation under hydrostatic pressure.     

Mixed functionals in the theory of nonlinearly elastic shells

Results obtained on the basis of linearized functionals in the theory of nonlinearly elastic composite shells are analyzed and generalized. The Kirchhoff-Love and Timoshenko hypotheses are used. Possible membrane or shear locking is taken into account. New approaches are proposed to improve the convergence of numerical solution for new classes of nonlinear problems for thin and nonthin shells with a curvilinear (circular, elliptical) hole. The stress-strain state of shells is analyzed using different versions of shell theory. The influence of the nonlinear properties and orthotropy of composite materials on the stress distribution in structural members is studied.Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 40, No. 11, pp. 45–84, November 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

On the linear and nonlinear stability analysis in the theory of thin elastic shells

Summary In the frame of the geometrically nonlinear theory of thin elastic shells with moderate rotations a set of consistent equations for the nonlinear stability analysis is derived by application of energy criteria. Some methods of functional analysis are used which enable to prove the symmetry of the stability equations and to calculate bifurcation buckling from linear and nonlinear equilibrium branches and also snap-through buckling loads by variational approximating procedures.

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Über die lineare und nichtlineare Stabilitätsberechnung in der Theorie dünner elastischer Schalen

Übersicht Im Rahmen einer geometrisch-nichtlinearen Theorie dünner Schalen mit moderaten Rotationen werden konsistente Gleichungen zur nichtlinearen Stabilitätsberechnung hergeleitet, wobei von Energiekriterien ausgegangen wird. Die Benutzung einiger Methoden der Funktionalanalysis ermöglicht den Nachweis der Symmetrie der Stabilitätsgleichungen und die Berechnung des Verzweigungs-Beulproblems bei linearen und nichtlinearen Gleichgewichtszuständen sowie die Bestimmung der kritischen Last beim Durchschlagproblem mit Hilfe variationeller Näherungsverfahren.

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Lecture: XVth Inter. Congr. Theor. Appl. Mech., Toronto/Canada, 17.–23. Aug. 1980

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The author is indepted to Docent Dr. habil. W. Pietraszkiewicz, Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery Gdask, for valuable remarks and the Polish Academy of Science for continuous support.     

A general nonlinear theory of elastic shells

This paper presents a general nonlinear theory of elastic shells for large deflections and finite strains in reference to a certain natural state. By expanding the displacement components into power series in the coordinate θ³ normal to the undeformed middle surface of shells, the expansions of the Cauchy-Green strain tensors are expressed in terms of these expanded displacement components. Through the modified Hellinger-Reissner variational principle for a three-dimensional elastic continuum, a set of the fundamental shell equations is derived in terms of the expanded Cauchy-Green strain tensors and Kirchhoff stress resultants. The Love-Kirchhoff hypothesis is not assumed and higher order stretching and bending are taken into consideration. For elastic shells of isotropic materials, assuming the strain-energy to be an analytic function of the strain measures, general nonlinear constitutive equations are then derived. Thus, a complete and consistent two-dimensional shell theory incorporating the geometrical and physical nonlinearities is established. The classical theories of shells are directly derivable from the present results by proper truncations of the series.     

A function theory for thin elastic shells

It is well known in the theory of elastic shells that a first order approximation using the shell thickness as an expansion parameter leads to the membrane theory of shells. The membrane equations have as solutions thegeneralized analytic functions. These functions have been exhaustively studied by Ilya N. Vekua [6], [7] and his students. R.P. Gilbert and J. Hile [3] introduced an extension of these systems to include elliptic systems of 2n equations in the plane and named the solutions of these systemsgeneralized hyperanalytic functions.It is shown in this paper that the next order approximation to the shell, which permits, moreover, the introduction of bending, may be described in terms of the generalized hyperanalytic functions. It is strongly suspected that the higher order approximations may also be described in terms of corresponding hypercomplex systems.     

Variational principles in the geometrically non-linear theory of shells undergoing moderate rotations

Summary A general approach to the derivation of variational principles is given for the geometrically non-linear theory of thin elastic shells undergoing moderate rotations. Starting from the principle of virtual displacements, a set of sixteen basic free functionals without subsidiary conditions is constructed. From these free functionals a, number of related functionals with or without subsidiary conditions may be generated. As examples, the functionals of the total potential energy and the total complementary energy are derived.

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Übersicht Die vorliegende Arbeit enthält eine systematische Herleitung von Variationsprinzipen für die geometrisch nichtlineare Theorie dünner elastischer Schalen, in der die Quadrate der Rotationen von gleicher Größenordnung wie die Dehnungen sein können. Ausgehend vom Prinzip der virtuellen Verschiebungen wird eine Familie von sechzehn freien Funktionalen hergeleitet, die keinen Nebenbedingungen unterliegen. Von diesen freien Funktionalen kann eine Vielzahl verwandter Funktionale mit oder ohne Nebenbedingungen abgeleitet werden. Als Beispiele werden die Prinzipe vom stationären Wert des Gesamtpotentials und der komplementären Energie angegeben.

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This work was prepared under an Agreement on Scientific Cooperation between the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Gdask and the Institut für Mechanik of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, FRG