Abstract A set or governing equations for the linear theory of a circular cylindrical shell such as tanks and silos is presented explicitly from rod theory including the distortion of the transverse cross-section. It is assumed that the deformation in the rod consists of a fundamental deformation, which can be expressed by displacements and rotations of the axial line of the rod, and a higherordered deformation caused by the warping and distortion of the transverse cross-section. Also, it is assumed that the higher-ordered deformation adds to the fundamental deformation. The higherordered deformation is expressed by the circumferential Fourier series expansion. Then, the simplifications of the obtained governing equations are carried out by using the classical hypotheses in rods. Finally, to examine the derived theory, a static problem of a cantilevered circular cylindrical shell has been solved analytically by the Bernoulli-Euler beam theory, by the Timoshenko beam theory, and by a theory including distortion. From the numerical results, it is concluded that the distortion is large compared to the transverse deflection of the axial line of rods and that the influence of the distortion on the transverse deflection of the axial line of rods is negligible.