A nonlinear composite shell theory

A general nonlinear theory for the dynamics of elastic anisotropic circular cylindrical shells undergoing small strains and moderate-rotation vibrations is presented. The theory fully accounts for extensionality and geometric nonlinearities by using local stress and strain measures and an exact coordinate transformation, which result in nonlinear curvatures and strain-displacement expressions that contain the von Karman strains as a special case. Moreover, the linear part of the theory contains, as special cases, most of the classical linear theories when appropriate stress resultants and couples are defined. Parabolic distributions of the transverse shear strains are accounted for by using a third-order theory and hence shear correction factors are not required. Five third-order nonlinear partial differential equations describing the extension, bending, and shear vibrations of shells are obtained using the principle of virtual work and an asymptotic analysis. These equations show that laminated shells display linear elastic and nonlinear geometric couplings among all motions.