IMPULSE-RESPONSE OF CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS WITH A DISCONTINUITY IN THE THICKNESS SUBJECTED TO AN AXISYMMETRICAL LOAD

Cylindrical shells with a discontinuity in the thickness and subjected to axisymmetric impulse load have been analyzed. The loadings conside red are a uniform internal pressure and a circular ring load at the mi d-section. A semi-analytical finite element method is used for the ana lysis. A thin shell finite element with four degrees of freedom per no de is used. Three shell models are analyzed to indicate possible reduc tions of maximum displacements and maximum dynamic stresses by choosin g the discontinuity at different locations. Numerical results are pres ented for clamped-clamped boundary conditions and for various step-rat ios in the thickness. The weight of the shell is kept constant for the various step-ratios. It is shown that the maximum displacements and m aximum dynamic stresses decrease for a certain type of thickness varia tion. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited