Nonlinear strain gradient elastic thin shallow shells

The governing equilibrium equations for strain gradient elastic thin shallow shells are derived, considering nonlinear strains and linear constitutive strain gradient elastic relations. Adopting Kirchhoff's theory of thin shallow structures, the equilibrium equations, along with the boundary conditions, are formulated through a variational procedure. It turns out that new terms are introduced, indicating the importance of the cross-section area in bending of thin plates. Those terms are missing from the existing strain gradient shallow thin shell theories. Those terms highly increase the stiffness of the structures. When the curvature of the shallow shell becomes zero, the governing equilibrium for the plates is derived. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.