The Rayleigh and Courant variational principles in the six-parameter shell theory

Abstract

Courant’s minimax variational principle is considered in application to the six-parameter theory of prestressed shells. The equations of a prestressed micropolar shell are deduced in detail. Courant’s principle is used to study the dependence of the least and higher eigenfrequencies on shell parameters and boundary conditions. Cases involving boundary reinforcements and shell junctions are also treated.