Large-Amplitude Free Flexural Vibrations of Laminated Composite Curved Panels using Shear-Flexible Shell Element

Abstract

Using degree centigrade continuous, QUAD-8 shear-flexible shell element, based on field consistency principle, the nonlinear free flexural vibrations of anisotropic laminated curved panels are studied. The formulation includes transverse shear deformation, in-plane and rotary inertia effects and geometrical nonlinearity. The element is employed to study the large amplitude dynamic behaviour of cylindrical and spherical shells. The frequency versus amplitude curves are obtained from the dynamic response history. The nonlinear governing equations are solved using Wilson-Theta numerical integration scheme with Theta = 1.4. For each time step, modified Newton-Raphson iterations are employed to achieve equilibrium at the end of that time step. Detailed numerical results are presented, showing the effects of thickness, lamination scheme, material properties and boundary conditions, on nonlinear behaviour.