A global-local higher order theory for multilayered shells and the analysis of laminated cylindrical shell panels

Based on the global-local superposition technique proposed by Li and Liu [Li XY, Liu D. Generalized laminate theories based on double superposition hypothesis. Int J Numer Meth Eng 1997;40:1197–212.], a global-local higher order laminated shell model is proposed for predicting both displacement and stress distributions through the thickness of laminated shells. This shell model satisfies transverse shear stress continuity conditions at interfaces as well as free surface conditions of transverse shear stresses. The merit of this model is that transverse shear stresses can be accurately predicted directly from constitutive equations without smoothing techniques. Cylindrical bending of laminated and sandwich shell panels is chosen to assess the present model wherein the results from several 2D laminated shell models and three-dimensional elasticity solution are available for comparison. In addition, thermal bending and thermal expansion of laminated cylindrical shell panels are also considered in this paper.