Three-dimensional solution for a hybrid cylindrical shell under axisymmetric thermoelectric load

Summary An exact axisymmetric piezothermoelastic solution is presented for a simply-supported hybrid cylindrical shell made of cross-ply composite laminate and piezoelectric layers. Numerical results for hybrid shells are presented for sinusoidal and central band thermal and electrical loads. The effect of the loading, the radius-to-thickness ratio, the span-to-radius ratio and the number of layers of the substrate on the response is investigated. The interface between the substrate and the actuated piezoelectric layer has been found to be subjected to high shear stress. It has been shown that the maximum values of the deflection and the stresses, due to thermal load, can be appreciably reduced by appropriate application of actuation potential. Accepted for publication 13 October 1996