Bucking and vibration analysis of composite plate and shell structures using the PASSAS software package

A description is given of the PASSAS finite strip software package for predicting the buckling stresses and natural frequencies of composite laminated prismatic plate and shell structures of complicated cross-section and general lamination. The basic equations underpinning the development of the properties of a transversely curved finite strip are presented in the context of first-order shear-deformation shell theory and, by reduction, in the context of thin shell theory. The B-spline finite strip method is used and this enables the specification of a wide range of end conditions. The major features of the software package are described, and these include a range of strip models, the use of multi-level substructuring techniques across the structure, including superstrips, and the use of an efficient and reliable solution procedure. Results are presented of the application of PASSAS to the solution of a small number of shell buckling and vibration problems. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.