Exact two-dimensional formulation of the 3D Kirchhoff-Love shell model

An exact two-dimensional formulation of the 3D Kirchhoff-Love shell model is given by an integration over the thickness, without making the thickness assumption h << R of the Koiter's model. Based on h/2 less than or equal to inf (\R-1(x)\, \R-2(x)\, x is an element of <(omega)over bar>) - delta, delta > 0 assumption, the proposed two-dimensional shell model permits to consider small radii of curvature of the middle surface of the shell, of h order. This model exhibits a coupling between menbrane and bending effects and displays the same asymptotic behavior as the Koiter shell model when the thickness h tends to 0. An existence and uniqueness result is given. (C) 1999 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.