A postprocess method using a displacement field of higher-order shell theory

A new method that predicts through-the-thickness stresses accurately by using in-plane displacement of EHOST (Efficient Higher-Order Shell Theory) as a postprocessor is proposed. Higher-order theories produce realistic displacement fields with a small number of dependent variables which is independent of the number of layers. However, these shell theories require tedious computations since their in-plane displacements are more complicated than that of first-order shell theory. In this study, a simple and economical method is proposed without losing the accuracy of solutions. This method consists of two steps. First is to obtain the relationship between shear angles of FSDT (First-order Shear Deformation Theory) and EHOST. Second is to obtain accurate displacement and stress fields from the FSDT solution by using EHOST displacement fields as a postprocessor. Simply supported static cylindrical shell problems demonstrate an economical and accurate solution of laminate composite shells provided by the present method.