Non-Axisymmetric Vibrations of Stepped Cylindrical Shells Containing Cracks

Abstract

Based on the Donnell’s approximations of the thin shell theory, this paper presents solutions for the problem of free non-axisymmetric vibration of stepped circular cylindrical shells with cracks. The shell under consideration is sub-divided into multiple segments separated by the locations of thickness variations. It is assumed that at thejth step there exists a circumferential surface crack with uniform depthcj. The influence of circular cracks with constant depth on the vibration of the shell is prescribed with the aid of a matrix of local flexibility. The latter is related to the coefficient of the stress intensity known in the linear fracture mechanics. Numerical results are obtained for cylindrical shells of stepped thickness containing cracks at re-entrant corners of steps. Shells with various combinations of boundary conditions can be analyzed by the proposed method. Furthermore, the influences of the shell thicknesses, locations of step-wise variations of the thickness and other parameters on the natural frequencies are examined. The results can be used for the approximate evaluation of dynamic parameters of cylindrical shells with cracks and flaws.