Thermal Post-Buckling and Vibration Analysis of Composite Conical Shell Structures Using Layerwise Theory

Abstract

The thermal post-buckling and vibration characteristics of composite conical shells are investigated using a finite element method. Based on the layerwise theory and the von Karman displacement strain relationships, the nonlinear finite element equations of motion are derived for the thermoelastic response of the composite conical shell structure. The cylindrical arc-length method is used to account for the snapping phenomenon. The influence of the structural parameters, such as the semi-cone angle, thickness ratio, and shallowness angle (curvature), on the structural stability of the composite conical shell subjected to the thermal load is also observed.