Dynamic Behavior of a Stiffened Laminated Conical Shell under Hygrothermal Loads

The dynamic behavior of a stiffened composite laminated conical thin shell under hygrothermal loads is studied numerically. The governing equations of truncated conical shell are based on the Donnell-Mushtari theory of thin shells including the transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia. The extension-bending coupling is taken into account in the equations. The composite laminated conical shell is also reinforced at uniform intervals by elastic rings andlor stringers. The stiffening elements are relatively closely spaced, and therefore the stiffeners are "smeared out" along the conical shell. The inhomogeneity of material properties because of moisture and temperature is taken into account in the constitutive equations. The equations of laminated composite conical shell are solved by the use of finite difference method The effect of moisture is examined on the dynanlic behavior. The accuracy of results is tested by certain earlier results and an agreement is found.