Stress analysis of axisymmetric shear deformable cross-ply laminated circular cylindrical shells

A generalized mixed theory for bending analysis of axisymmetric shear deformable laminated circular cylindrical shells is presented. The classical, first-order and higher-order shell theories have been used in the analysis. The Maupertuis-Lagrange (M-L) mixed variational formula is utilized to formulate the governing equations of circular cylindrical shells laminated by orthotropic layers. Analytical solutions are presented for symmetric and antisymmetric laminated circular cylindrical shells under sinusoidal loads and subjected to arbitrary boundary conditions. Numerical results of the higher-order theory for deflections and stresses of cross-ply laminated circular cylindrical shells are compared with those obtained by means of the classical and first-order shell theories. The effects, due to shear deformation, lamination schemes, loadings ratio, boundary conditions and orthotropy ratio on the deflections and stresses are investigated.