On the problem of axisymmetrically loaded shells of revolution with small elastic strains and arbitrarily large axial deflections (Q1069754)

For the problem of axisymmetrically loaded shells of revolution with small elastic strains and arbitrarily large axial deflections, this paper suggests a group of state variables: radial displacement u, axial displacement w, angular deflection of tangent in the meridian \(\chi\), radial stress resultant H and meridional bending moment M, and derives a system of first-order nonlinear differential equations in a global coordinate system with these variables. The principle of minimum potential energy for the problem is obtained by means of the weighted residual method, and its generalized variational principle by means of the identified Lagrange multiplier method. This paper also presents a method of variable-characteristic nondimensionization with a scale of load parameter, which may efficiently raise the probability of success for nonlinear calculations. The obtained nondimensional system of differential equations and nondimensional principle of minimum potential energy could be taken as the theoretical basis for the numerical computation of axisymmetrical shells with arbitrarily large deflections.