First ply failure of laminated composite conoidal shell roofs using geometric linear and nonlinear formulations

Abstract

A detailed review of literature on failure of composite shells shows that no research report is available on failure of laminated conoidal shells using geometrically nonlinear formulation. The present paper aims to fill the lacuna and reports first ply failure of moderately thin composite conoidal shells. A number of parameters like boundary condition, stacking order and lamination are varied to study the failure loads, failure locations and failure modes/tendencies of the shell. The paper concludes with a set of meaningful engineering design guidelines, which are proposed keeping the serviceability criterion in mind.