Analysis of Finite Length, Orthotropic Composite Cylinders Including Through-Thickness Shear Effects

Abstract

Thick composite cylinders are important structural elements which cannot be analysed by traditional techniques due to through-thickness effects. This work presents analyses for thick composite tubes of finite length including through-thickness shear. A numerical thermal analysis is implemented for the determination of the transient through-thickness behaviour of tubes. A me- chanical analysis, based on the Rayleigh-Ritz technique, is presented which analyses finite length, composite tubes under a variety of loadings. The anal- yses are shown to be accurate and efficient and are validated against existing results. Results are presented for two ring-stiffened tubes under pressure and thermal loading and also for the transient thermal behaviour of these tubes. It was found that both the through-thickness and transient effects are of im- portance as the stress variation through the thickness and with time was significant for both tubes.