Dynamic analysis of a pressure prestressed in vacuo torus with follower load stiffness

Abstract

A finite element analysis based on Reissner–Mindlin theory using four-noded degenerate curved shell elements is employed to investigate the dynamic behavior of a pressure prestressed in vacuo toroidal structure. The present investigation incorporates the follower load stiffness and stress stiffening effects by validating the model against experimental and analytical data from literature. Inclusion of follower load stiffness yielded all the rigid body modes correctly. The natural frequencies, mode shapes, and mode order of the torus were found to be closer to the experimental results than the published numerical results.