Approximate elasticity solution for a long and thick laminated circular cylindrical shell of revolution

approximate three-dimensional elasticity solution is presented for an infinite, thick, orthotropic as well as laminated circular cylindrical shell of revolution subjected to distributed pinch load. The validity and the accuracy of the results of approximate solution has been established by comparing it with the results of an exact three-dimensional elasticity solution for single and multilayered (hybrid) shell of revolution. Numerical results have been presented for cross-ply laminated (O/90/0 and 90/O/90) infinite circular cylindrical shell of revolution subjected to axisymmetric band and distributed pinch loads. These results have been compared with the classical and first-order shear deformation theories of Flugge and Donnell to assess the accuracy and limitations of the twodimensional shell theories. cj 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved