Abstract
A third-order shell theory based on Reddy's parabolic shear strain distribution is presented. Upon applying the Donnell shallow shell approximation, the present theory leads to Reddy's formulation in the case that the laminate has a Euclidean middle surface and constant principal radii of curvatures. To accommodate the effect of the continuity condition of interlaminar transverse shear stresses, the shear correction factors are introduced to modify the shear strains in the present higher order theory. The shear correction factors are calculated using an iterative formulation based on the “shear strain energy equivalence”. The shell solutions are compared with the elasticity solutions to assess the improvement of using the higher order theory, coupled with the shear correction factors, in predicting the structural responses of moderately thick laminates.
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