Analysis for buckling and vibrations of composite stiffened shells and plates

This paper deals with development of triangular finite element for buckling and vibration analysis of laminated composite stiffened shells. For the laminated shell, an equivalent layer shell theory is employed. The first-order shear deformation theory including extension of the normal line is used. In order to take into account a non-homogeneous distribution of the transverse sheer stresses a correction of transverse shear stiffness is employed. Based on the equivalent layer theory with six degrees of freedom (three displacements and three rotations), a finite element that ensures CO continuity of the displacement and rotation fields across interelement boundaries has been developed. Numerical examples are presented to show the accuracy and convergence characteristics of the element. Results of vibration and buckling analysis of stiffened plates and shells are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.