The Strain-Energy Density of Rubber-Like Shells of Revolution Undergoing Torsionless, Axisymmetric Deformation (Axishells)

Abstract

We consider a shell of revolution made of an incompressible elastically isotropic material. Assuming a torsionless, axisymmetric three-dimensional displacement field that permits large normal strains (i.e., large thickness changes) but small transverse shearing strains, we construct a two-dimensional strain-energy density for a first-approximation shell theory in which the extensional strains may be O(1). The bending strains, however, are small, as in Reissner’s nonlinear theory. An error estimate is given that depends on the undeformed thickness and curvatures, the bending strains, the transverse shearing strain, and the characteristic wavelength of the shell theory solutions.