Dynamic stability analysis of cross-ply laminated cylindrical shells using different thin shell theories

The dynamic stability of thin, laminated cylindrical shells under combined static and periodic axial forces is studied here using three common thin shell theories, namely Donnell's, Love's and Flugge's shell theories. A normal-mode expansion of the equations of motion yields a system of Mathieu-Hill equations the stability of which is examined using Bolotin's method. The present study examines and compares the effects of the use of the various shell theories on the dynamic stability analysis.