On the physical significance of higher-order kinematic and static variables in a three-dimensional shell formulation (Q1584976)

To approximately represent three-dimensional effects, while retaining the efficiency of two-dimensional formulation due to pre-integration of the structural stiffness matrix across the thickness, considerable attention has been given to the development of higher-order plate and shell models. The possibility of using unmodified, complete three-dimensional material laws within shell analysis has been a major motivation for the development of such models. While the theoretical and numerical formulation of the so-called 7-parameter shell models, including a thickness stretch parameter of the shell, has been discussed in numerous papers, no thorough investigation of physical significance of additional kinematic and static variables, along with the extension to three dimensions, was previously known. In this paper, the authors discuss the significance of kinematic and static variables appearing in 7-parameter model. It is shown how these quantities `refine' the model behavior, and how they can be related to the `classical' variables, such as `curvatures' and `stress resultants'.