The theory of shell structures Aims and methods

Abstract

This paper discusses in a general way some aspects of the theory of shell structures, and the nature of the theory itself. It emphasises the importance of the interaction between bending and stretching effects in shells, and shows that the “two surface” model of shells provides a useful way of investigating this interaction at both the conceptual and the computational level. A cylindrical shell under various simple kinds of loading demonstrates how the key dimensionless groups emerge from this type of analysis. Some fresh light is thrown on the famous controversy between Love and Rayleigh on the vibration of simple shells. Various problems which arise in the numerical computation of shell structures are discussed. The paper concludes with some general remarks.