Nonlinear analysis of laminated shells including transverse shear strains

Abstract

Numerical results obtained using a doubly curved, shear deformable shell element are presented for geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated composite shells. The element is based on an extension of Sanders' shell theory and accounts for the von Karman strains and transverse shear strains. The sample numerical results presented here for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated composite shells should serve as references for future investigations.