On approximate large strain relations for a shell of revolution (Q759534)

A series of geometric and constitutive relations is studied for large axisymmetric strain of elastic shells of revolution. The kinematic assumption employs a modified Kirchhoff hypothesis which accounts for thickness changes but neglects transverse shear deformation. Calculations are presented for cylindrical and spherical shells composed of incompressible materials with two types of strain energy density functions: Mooney-Rivlin (rubber) and exponential (biological tissue). Comparison of results for large bending at a clamped edge demonstrates the accuracy and limitations of various approximations for stress and strain. The computations indicate that the stress resultants are quite sensitive to the details of the symmetric motion of points relative to the reference surface.