Non-linear modal equations for thin elastic shells

Abstract

In this paper we derive non-linear modal equations for thin elastic shells of arbitrary geometry. Geometric non-linearities are accounted for by utilizing the strain-displacement relations of the Sanders-Koiter non-linear shell theory. Arbitrary initial imperfections are accounted for and the shell thickness is free to vary within the limits of thin shell theory. The derivation gives the coefficients of the modal equations as integral expressions over the surface of the shell. The resulting equations are well-suited for practical applications. Weighting factors are introduced to allow for reduction of our results to the Love shell theory and to the Donnell approximation. The equations are specialized for a finite simply supported circular cylinder and numerical results are compared to those previously published in the literature.