Free vibrations of fluid-filled cylindrical shells on elastic foundations

The free vibration characteristics of fluid-filled cylindrical shells on elastic foundations are presented by a semi-analytical finite element method. A shell is discretized into cylindrical finite elements where shell governing equations based shape functions in the longitudinal direction are used instead of the usual simple polynomials. Non-uniformities of the foundations in the circumferential and longitudinal directions are handled by the Fourier series and an element mesh Strategy, respectively. The fluid domain is described by the potential flow theory. The hydrodynamic pressure acting on shells is derived from the condition for dynamic coupling of the fluid-structure. The effect of fluid in a shell, shell geometries, and foundation parameters on the dynamic behavior of fluid-containing shells is investigated. Numerical results based on the present method converge more rapidly than those obtained by the simple polynomial formulation. The method is suitable for the problem considered due to its generality, simplicity, and potential for further development. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.