A finite element-difference computational model for stress analysis of layered composite cylindrical shells (Q1309566)

The paper presents a detailed study of numerical models of a laminated composite cylindrical shell subject to different loads and boundary conditions. The models correspond to thin and thick shells; in both cases the nonlinear variation of tangential displacement components through the thickness of the shell is taken into account; the interlaminar and transverse stresses are obtained by integrating the equilibrium equations using a finite differences-through-the-thickness approach. The model thus avoids the need of shear correction coefficients and is suitable for a continuous finite element formulation. Several examples are analyzed and numerical results are exhibited; they use Lagrangian quadrilaterals having on every node as many degrees of freedom as there are layers in the shell. The numerical results show that the model is particularly accurate for thick composite shells.