A consistent theory of geometrically nonlinear shells with an independent rotation vector (Q1090128)

For shells undergoing finite rotations, a general theory is formulated in terms of consistent displacement and force variables. An independent rotation vector is used for the description of the deformation state. The strain-displacement equations are obtained considering shear deformations. These relations are then transformed by a variational procedure into consistent equilibrium equations and boundary conditions, the validity of which is also confirmed by an independent two-dimensional derivation. The paper closes with the physical interpretation of the force variables and the formulation of the constitutive equations.