A GENERALIZATION OF SHEAR DEFORMATION THEORIES FOR AXISYMMETRICAL MULTILAYERED SHELLS

A generalization of geometrically linear shear deformation theories for small elastic strains is presented for multilayered axisymmetric shells of general shape without any assumption other than neglecting the transverse normal strain. The shear is taken into account by using a function f (zeta) which is introduced in the assumed kinematics. The boundary value problem is derived from the principle of virtual power. With the "shear" function f (zeta) in the kinematics, all equations are directly applicable to: Kirchhoff-Love, first-order shear deformation, third-order shear deformation theories and, obviously, the proposed generalized shear deformation theory by using a certain sine shear function. No shear-correction factors are needed with the proposed generalization of shear deformation theories. A numerical evaluation of the new theory is presented and compared with the above classic theories for a simply-supported thick laminated cylindrical shell under an internal pressure.