Free vibration analysis of functionally graded shells by a higher-order shear deformation theory and radial basis functions collocation, accounting for through-the-thickness deformations

This paper deals with free vibration problems of functionally graded shells. The analysis is performed by radial basis functions collocation, according to a higher-order shear deformation theory that accounts for through-the-thickness deformation. The equations of motion and the boundary conditions are obtained by Carrera's Unified Formulation resting upon the principle of virtual work, and further interpolated by collocation with radial basis functions. Numerical results include spherical as well as cylindrical shell panels with all edges clamped or simply supported and demonstrate the accuracy of the present approach. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.