Analysis of laminated conical shell structures using higher order models

In this paper is presented a numerical method for the structural analysis of laminated conical shell panels using a quadrilateral isoparametric finite element based on the higher order shear deformation theory. The displacement expressions used for the longitudinal and circumferential components of the displacement field are given by power series of the transversal coordinate and the condition of zero stresses in the top and bottom surfaces of the shell is imposed. The shape functions used for the transversal displacement are C1 conforming and the finite element is a conical/cylindrical panel with 8 nodes and 40 degrees of freedom. The model presented performs static analysis with arbitrary boundary conditions and loads, as well eigenvalue problems (free vibration and buckling). Illustrative examples are presented and discussed.