Numerical methods for mixed boundary value problems of shells of revolution

Abstract For the solution of a mixed boundary value problem of an axisymmetric shell, for which different variables are prescribed over portions of the circular boundaries, methods arc required which are applicable to boundary value problems governed by two-dimensional partial differential equations. Two such methods are discussed in this paper. One uses a truncated series expansion in terms of separable solutions, and the other employs finite difference expressions in the circumferential direction. Using these two techniques, the problem is brought to a one-dimensional form, and then solved with the multisegment method of direct numerical integration. An example of pure bending of a cylindrical shell with a semicircular slit is solved by both methods, and numerical results are given.