Elastic Buckling Analysis of Composite Shells with Elliptical Cross-section under Axial Compression

Abstract

In the present research, the elastic buckling of composite cross-ply elliptical cylindrical shells under axial compression is studied through finite element approach. The formulation is based on shear deformation theory and the serendipity quadrilateral eight-node element is used to study the elastic behavior of elliptical cylindrical shells. The strain-displacement relations are accurately accounted for in the formulation in local coordinate system. The contributions of the work done by applied load are also incorporated. The obtained governing equations by the principle of minimum potential energy is solved through eigenvalue approach. The influence of elliptical cross-sectional parameters on the critical buckling loads of elliptical cylindrical shells is examined .Results show that changes in the elliptical cross-sectional parameters significantly change critical buckling loads of the elliptical cylindrical shells.