Shell Analysis Manual

This Shell Analysis Manual provides specific instructions, procedures, basic solutions, and recommendations to facilitate the expedient static structural analysis of shell-type spacecraft structures. It also provides an introduction to and reference for the practical static structural analysis of shells. The manual comprises the following chapters: 1.00 Introduction to Shell Theory 2.00 Procedures for Static Analysis of Shell Structures 3.00 Procedures for Stability Analysis of Shell Structures 4.00 Minimum Weight Shell Design 5.00 Optimum Use of Computer Programs Chapter 1.00 presents a derivation of general shell theory from concepts of the linear theory of elasticity and includes the basic relationships of shell geometry, geometry of strain, stress-strain, and equilibrium. The various shell theories are classified according to the simplifications made to a higher-order theory. Approximate theories and simplifications that have made the solution to these theories possible are delineated. A presentation of nonlinear shell theory to be used for large deflection analysis of shells is included. This development is based on variational principles and the concept of stationary potential energy. Structural stability shell theory is discussed. The shell stability equations are presented and techniques for determining buckling loads using variational procedures are outlined. A discussion of the discrepancies between the theoretical and experimental results is included.