Response of a cylindrical shell to an inclined, moving pressure discontinuity (shock wave)

Abstract

An exact solution, in series form, is presented for the dynamic response of a thin-walled cylindrical shell of circular cross-section. The shell is subjected to a moving shock (pressure discontinuity). The shock moves with constant speed in a direction which is normal with respect to the shock front. The angle between the shell axis and the shock front (plane) is arbitrary. The solution is obtained within the framework of the Fliigge equations and is characterized in terms of the eigenfunctions associated with the free vibrations of the shell. Detailed numerical computations are carried out, in dimensionless form, for the case of a freely supported shell. Time histories of deflections, membrane forces and bending moments are presented in graphical form, and the effect of shock speed on shell response is investigated.