Analysis of Eccentrically Stiffened Cylindrical Shells

A circular cylindrical finite element is combined with beam elements to provide an efficient numerical method for the solution of stiffened shell problems. The analysis includes the transformation relations necessary to account for eccentricity of the stiffening or support members or both. The finite element used for the shell is a modification of the Bogner, Fox and Schmit 48 degrees-of-freedom element. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated in the first example by comparing the stress results with the corresponding quantities computed by an analytical procedure. The structure chosen was a roof shell with edge beams in order to provide a severe test and the stresses rather than just displacements are compared in order to assess its practical value. A second example demonstrates the application of the method to a problem where flexure predominates.