Static and Dynamic Analyses of Doubly-Curved Composite Thick

Shells with Variable Radii of Curvatures

Francesco Tornabene1, Nicholas Fantuzzi1, Michele Bacciocchi1, Erasmo Viola1
1
DICAM Department, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
E-mail: francesco.tornabene@unibo.it, nicholas.fantuzzi@unibo.it,
michele.bacciocchi@unibo.it, erasmo.viola@unibo.it
web page: http://software.dicam.unibo.it/diqumaspab-project

Keywords: Doubly-Curved Shells and Panels, Higher-Order Shear Deformation Theories,

Generalized Differential Quadrature Method.

Shell structures have an important role in many engineering fields. A shell is a 3D solid that
can be studied with the classical theory of elasticity. Some simplifications have to be introduced to
reduce the computational cost. There are three different ways to deal with anisotropic shell
structures: 3D elasticity, Equivalent Single Layer (ESL) and Layer Wise (LW) approaches. The
last two theories have their own roots in the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF), which is capable
of studying several higher-order displacement fields taking the kinematic expansion order as a free
parameter for the representation of any higher order formulation [1-4]. These theoretical models
allow to consider variable mechanical properties on the shell surface and variable thickness. The
geometric description of the shells is carried out using differential geometry. Thus, the geometry
of the structure is described mathematically through certain predefined parameters that depend on
the geometry under consideration. In this study innovative materials, such as Functionally Graded
(FG) and Carbon Nanotube (CNT) reinforced composites, are investigated. Moreover, a new class
of fiber reinforced laminated composites defined by a curvilinear path of the fibers is examined.
The so-called Variable Angle Tow (VAT) placement permits to design composite structures with
the desired stiffness. Different loads are taken into account. Several surface load distributions, the
effect of the Winkler-Pasternak foundation, seismic actions, as well as concentrated forces, can be
included in the proposed approach. The mathematical problem, governed by a partial differential
system of equations, is solved using a strong formulation approach, named Generalized
Differential Quadrature (GDQ) method [1-4]. Both the free vibration analysis and the static
analysis with the recovery procedures for estimating strains and stresses at each point of the 3D
solid shells, are worked out. Several applications and numerical results to exhibit the accuracy of
the present technique are shown.

References
[1] Tornabene, F., Fantuzzi, N., Bacciocchi, M. and Viola, E., Accurate Inter-Laminar Recovery
for Plates and Doubly-Curved Shells with Variable Radii of Curvature Using Layer-Wise
Theories, Composite Structures, 124, 368-393 (2015).
[2] Tornabene, F., Fantuzzi, N., Viola, E. and Batra, R.C., Stress and Strain Recovery for
Functionally Graded Free-Form and Doubly-Curved Sandwich Shells Using Higher-Order
Equivalent Single Layer Theory, Composite Structures, 119, 67-89 (2015).
[3] Tornabene, F., Fantuzzi, N. and Bacciocchi, M., Free Vibrations of Free-Form
Doubly-Curved Shells Made of Functionally Graded Materials Using Higher-Order
Equivalent Single Layer Theories, Composites Part B Engineering, 67, 490-509 (2014).
[4] Tornabene, F., Fantuzzi, N. and Bacciocchi, M., The Local GDQ Method Applied to General
Higher-Order Theories of Doubly-Curved Laminated Composite Shells and Panels: the Free
Vibration Analysis, Composite Structures, 116, 637-660 (2014).