A LOCAL-GLOBAL FE MODEL FOR NONLINEAR-ANALYSIS OF COLUMN-SUPPORTED SHELLS OF REVOLUTION

A local-global finite element model suitable for the analysis of colum n-supported shells of revolution is presented. The model combines, in a single analysis, axisymmetric shell elements, general shell elements , and column elements. Axisymmetric or rotational shell elements which can accommodate geometric nonlinearities are employed in the axisymme tric portion of the shell. In this region, the nonaxisymmetric behavio r in loading and deformation is accounted for by including appropriate Fourier harmonics. The column-supported area is modeled using individ ual column elements. The local zone is identified as the region consis ting of the column elements and the physically and geometrically nonli near general shell elements inserted between the column-support area a nd the axisymmetric shell portion. In addition, either deviations from the axisymmetric geometry of the shell, such as imperfections or cut- outs, and/or nonlinear materials can be easily included in the local z one. Examples which illustrate the proposed procedure are presented. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.