Nondimensional Parameters and Equations for Buckling of Anisotropic Shallow Shells

Abstract

A procedure for deriving nondimensional parameters and equations for bifurcation buckling of anisotropic shallow shells subjected to combined loads is presented. First, the Donnell-Mushtari-Vlasov equations governing buckling of symmetrically laminated doubly curved thin elastic shallow shells are presented. Then, the rationale used to perform the nondimensionalization of the buckling equations is presented, and fundamental parameters are identified that represent measures of the shell orthotropy and anisotropy. In addition, nondimensional curvature parameters are identified that are analogues of the well-known Batdorf Z parameter for isotropic shells, and analogues of Dunnell’s and Batdorf s shell buckling equations are presented. Selected results are presented for shear buckling of balanced symmetric laminated shells that illustrate the usefulness of the nondimensional parameters.