Analysis of shallow shells by a combination of finite elements and contour methods

Abstract

AbstractTwo generalised shallow-shell bending elements are developed for the analysis of doubly-curved shallow shells having arbitrarily shaped plan-forms. Although both elements are formulated using the concept of iso-deflection contour lines, one element uses the three displacement componentsU, VandWas the basic unknowns, while the displacement componentWand the stress function ф serve as the unknowns in the other element. A number of illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the accuracy and relative convergence of the proposed shallow-shell elements when employed for static analysis purposes.