Abstract: | The discussion focuses on two numerical algorithms for solving the nonlinear static problems of multilayer composite shells of revolution, namely the algorithm based on the discrete orthogonalization method and the algorithm based on the finite element method with a local linear approximation in the meridian direction. The material of each layer of the shell is assumed to be linearly elastic and anisotropic (nonorthotropic). A feature of this approach is that the displacements of the face surfaces of the shell are chosen as unknown functions, i.e., the functions which allows us to formulate the kinematic boundary conditions on these surfaces. As an example, a cross-ply cylindrical shell subjected to uniform axisymmetric tension is considered. It is shown that the algorithms elaborated correctly describe the local distribution of the stress tensor over the shell thickness without an expensive software based on the 3D anisotropic theory of elasticity.Tambov State Technical University, Tambov, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 347–358, May–June, 1999. |