Analysis for the Dynamic Response of Stiffened Shells

Abstract

The natural frequencies and mode shapes for the vibrations of stiffened cylindrical shells with, or without, hemispherical end caps are evaluated. The approach utilizes a theory in which the shell elements and the circumferential stiffeners are considered as separate structures and compatibility is enforced at their junctures. The results are compared with those from orthotropic theory in which the stiffener effects are smeared over the shell. Numerical results are presented for frequencies and mode shapes for several cases of interest. The theoretical results have been compared with a set of experimental results from the Ordnance Research Laboratories and excellent agreement has been found. Comparisons of theory and experiment are presented in this paper.