Free vibration analysis of spherical caps using a GDQ numerical solution

In this paper we present the frequency evaluation of spherical shells by means of the generalized differential quadrature method (G.D.Q.M.), an effective numerical procedure which pertains to the class of generalized collocation methods. The shell theory used in this study is a first-order shear deformation theory with transverse shearing deformations and rotatory inertia included. The shell governing equations in terms of mid-surface displacements are obtained and, after expansion in partial Fourier series of the circumferential coordinate, solved with the G.D.Q.M. Several comparisons are made with available results, showing the reliability and modeling capability of the numerical scheme in argument.