Vibration and Post-buckling Behavior of Laminated Composite Doubly Curved Shell Structures

The vibration characteristics of post-buckled laminated composite doubly curved shells are investigated. The finite element method is used for the analysis of post-buckling and free vibration of post-buckled laminated shells. The geometric non-linear finite element model includes the general non-linear terms in the strain-displacement relationships. The shell geometry used in the present formulation is derived using an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. Based on the principle of virtual work the non-linear finite element equations are derived. Arc-length method is implemented to capture the load-displacement equilibrium Curve. The vibration characteristics of post-buckled shell are performed using tangent stiffness obtained from the converged deflection. The code is first validated and then employed to generate numerical results. Parametric studies are performed to analyze the snapping and vibration characteristics. The relationship between loads and fundamental frequencies and between loads and the corresponding displacements are determined for various parameters such as thickness ratio and shallowness. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009