Response Of Laminated Arches To Impact Loads

In various structures, arches of a circular shape are exposed to impact loading. Such structures involve the linings of tunnels of various types, cockpits of aircraft, and parts of submersibles. The problem is solved as pseudo 3-D, i.e. generalized plane strain is considered after introducing the development of time and hoop direction to the Fourier series. This assumption is in very good compliance with the natural behavior of the aforementioned structures and moreover, it enables the mathematic description of several phenomena such as dissipation layers inside the arches, optimal distribution of reinforcement, and so on. In the radial direction a linear finite element-like approach is introduced. The reason for this is that the layers are considered thin enough and the explicit solution leads to Bessel functions, which are not transparent enough. The base functions in the hoop direction are selected for simply supported arches, but the generalization of the prescribed supports is possible using the application of auspicious moments (rotations) at the end lines.