Comparison of the Dynamic Behavior of Composite Plates and Shells Incorporating Green\u27s Strain Terms with the von Karman and Donnell Models

The dynamic collapse behavior of thin, composite cylindrical shells subjected to transverse point loads is considered. The dynamic behavior of the undamped cylindrical shells of varying radii is analyzed with a finite element formulation that incorporates all nonlinear Green\u27s strain terms in the in-plane directions; transverse strains are linear and vary parabolically through the shell thickness. This formulation is denoted as the simplified large displacement/rotation (SLR) theory. Graphical representations are used extensively to examine dynamic behaviors not noted in similar research that utilized the DSHELL finite element code. Composite plate behavior is also explored. Comparison of the higher-order formulations to Donnell and von Karman models, modified with transverse shear flexibility, is also made. Several deep shell configurations, using the SLR and Donnell models, are analyzed in an effort to determine the maximum displacement and rotational limits of these formulations. The nonlinear features of the plates and shells imply the potential for chaotic behavior. Various techniques are used to characterize the chaotic behavior of these undamped shells in pre- and post-collapsed states