VIBRATION OF SHALLOW CONICAL SHELLS WITH SHEAR FLEXIBILITY - A FIRST-ORDER THEORY

A formulation of shear deformation theory implemented numerically for the prediction of vibratory characteristics of shallow conical shell p anels is presented. The derivation of thickness shear is assumed in a linear approximation. The Lame parameter for the transverse shear stra in component, which has previously been neglected, is considered. This consideration accounts for the replacement of a term in transverse st rain distribution through the shell thickness which results in linear transverse shear strain distribution in contrast to the constant distr ibution hitherto known to researchers in this field. The energy integr al, which incorporates the shear deformation and rotary inertia, is mi nimized to derive the governing eigen-matrix equation. A set of benchm ark frequency solutions is presented for two exemplary conical shells: the cantilever and the fully clamped shells. Some selected mode shape s in terms of mid-surface contour plots and three-dimensional meshes a re also illustrated.