Shear deformation models for large-strain shell analysis

The objective is the theoretical and numerical simulation of large-strain phenomena of rubber-like shells by means of shear deformation models. The development starts with a general applicable shell model constructed on the basis of a quadratic displacement approximation which involves two thickness stretching parameters. This model is then coupled with incompressible material models of Mooney-Rivlin and neo-Hookean types. Material incompressibility is described by two-dimensional constraints considered at the element level as subsidiary conditions. A special care is given to the stress prediction in the presence of large-strains. After transformation of the theoretical model into an incremental formulation a four-node isoparametric finite element is derived. Examples are finally given to demonstrate the ability of this model to deal with very strong deformations and to predict the related stresses. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.