Nonlinear deformation and stability of discretely reinforced elliptical cylindrical shells under transverse bending and internal pressure

A finite element formulation of solving the stability problems for the discretely reinforced noncircular cylindrical shells is presented taking into account that their subcritical stress strain state is instantaneous and nonlinear. The author-developed finite elements for a natural-curved shell and the beam elements of reinforcements are used. A numerical algorithm to study the nonlinear deformation and stability of shells was developed. The stability of a stringer-stiffened cylindrical shell with an elliptical cross-sectional contour under transverse bending and internal pressure is examined. We also investigate the effect of internal pressure, ellipticity and nonlinearity of deformation, as well as of reinforcement discreteness and heterogeneity.