Free vibration analysis of orthtropic thin cylindrical shells with variable thickness by using spline functions

In this study, vibration behavior of orthotropic cylindrical shells with variable thickness is investigated. Based on linear shell theory and applying energy method and using spline functions, free vibration relations are derived for shell with variable thickness and curvature. Frequency parameter and mode shapes are found after solving the frequency Eigenvalue equation. Effects of variable thickness along axial and circumferential directions of the shell on its frequency parameter are studied and compared against each other. Shell thickness is assumed to be varied in a parabolic profile along both directions. Also, frequency parameters for both circular and parabolic curvatures along circumferential direction are investigated and results are compared together. In addition, effect of variable thickness on the mode shapes is studied