A finite element semi-analytical model for laminated axisymmetric shells: statics, dynamics and buckling

In this paper a numerical method for the structural analysis of laminated axisymmetric shells based on the high-order theory is presented. A higher order displacement field is used with the longitudinal and circumferential components of the displacement given by power series of the transversal coordinate and the condition of zero stress in the top and bottom surfaces of the shell is imposed. In the element formulation the circumferential dependence is carried out by expanding the dependent variables and loading in truncated Fourier series which leads to a semi-analytical element. A special emphasis is given to the coupling effect between the symmetric and anti-symmetric terms for laminated materials with anisotropic properties.