Nonlinear transient analysis of laminated composite shells

In this study the geometrically nonlinear transient response of the laminated composite doubly curved shells is investigated using the finite element method. The finite element model includes nonlinearity due to large deflection. A nine-noded isoparametric composite shell element including the first-order shear deformation is developed in curvilinear coordinates for the nonlinear transient analysis. The present formulation is based on the total Lagrangian approach and the material behavior is assumed to be linear and elastic. The governing equations have been solved by the Newton-Raphson iteration technique, wherein the Newmark method has been used for the time integration. The present results are found to compare well with those available in the literature. The nonlinear transient response of the cross-ply and three specially laminated spherical, cylindrical, and hyperbolic paraboloidal shell panels are also analyzed and the results are discussed.