Free vibration of a laminated composite shell of revolution: Effects of shear non-linearity

Effects of shear non-linearity on free vibration of a laminated composite s hell of revolution are investigated using a semi-analytical method based on the Reissner-Mindlin shell theory. The coupling between symmetric and anti -symmetric vibration modes of the shell is considered in the shear deformab le shell element employed in this study. The Hahn-Tsai non-linearly elastic shear stress-shear strain relation is adopted. Numerical examples are give n for laminated composite circular cylindrical and conical shells with vari ous boundary conditions. The numerical results indicate that shear non-line arity may reduce significantly the fundamental frequencies of cross-ply com posite shells of revolution. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.