A perturbation method for nonlinear vibrations of imperfect structures: Application to cylindrical shell vibrations

A perturbation method is used to analyse the nonlinear vibration behaviour of imperfect general structures under static preloading. The method is based on a perturbation expansion for both the frequency parameter and the dependent variables. The effects on the linearized and nonlinear vibrations caused by geometric imperfections, a static fundamental state, and a nontrivial static state are included in the perturbation procedure. The theory is applied in the nonlinear vibration analysis of anisotropic cylindrical shells. In the analysis the specified boundary conditions at the shell edges can be satisfied accurately. The characteristics of the analysis capability are shown through examples of the vibration behaviour of specific shells. Results for single mode and coupled mode nonlinear vibrations of shells are presented. Parametric studies have been performed for a composite shell.