METHOD OF INITIAL FUNCTIONS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF LAMINATED CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS UNDER AXISYMMETRICAL LOADING

The method of initial functions has been used for the static analysis of an infinite and simply supported, orthotropic, and laminated, circu lar cylindrical shell of revolution subjected to axisymmetric load. In this method the three-dimensional state equations for an individual p ly of a laminated shell are established without making any a priori as sumptions regarding the distribution of stresses and displacements acr oss the thickness of the shell By using the continuity conditions of d isplacements and stresses on each interface between adjacent layers, t he state equation for the laminate is obtained. Using the Cayley-Hamil ton theorem, the transfer matrix that maps the initial state vector in to the field is evaluated explicitly, leading to an exact solution of the problem (MIF-exact). Alternatively, depending on the number of ter ms retained in the series expansion of the transfer matrix, different- order theories of MIF are derived The results of different-order MIF t heories, classical theories, and shear deformation shell theories are compared with the results of MIF-exact to assess their accuracy and li mitations.