Parametric Influences on the Response of Structural Shells

Abstract

The effects on structural response produced by variation of geometric, loading, and material property parameters have been investigated for the specific case of a fixed-ended cylinder subjected to a “frontal cosine” distribution of impulsive loading (although many qualitative results can be expected to apply to other cases). Responses were determined using the REPSIL code, which employs a finite difference method to solve the partial differential equations for large deflection, anelastic shell motions. Graphical representations of results in terms of six nondimensional quantities make it possible to obtain an overview of the influence of various system parameters on structural response and to draw certain conclusions regarding their relative importance. An empirical model based on REPSIL code data has been developed which permits rapid estimation of cylinder responses over a useful range of system parameters.