Design of filament–wound domes based on continuum theory and non-geodesic roving trajectories

In this paper the optimal shapes and fiber architectures of non-geodesics-based domes for pressure vessels are determined upon the condition of equal shell strains. Based on the continuum theory and the non-geodesic law, the system of differential equations governing the optimal meridian profiles is derived. A specific function is chosen to describe the slippage coefficient distribution for the desired non-geodesic path, in order to ensure C1 continuity of the roving paths when passing the dome–cylinder conjunction. Next, the meridian profiles are determined for various material anisotropies; the related winding angle developments of non-geodesic trajectories are also presented. The performance factors of non-geodesics-based optimal domes are obtained using various slippage coefficients and polar opening radii. The results show that the structural efficiency of the dome improves with increasing slippage coefficient. It is concluded that the non-geodesics-based dome designed using the present method gains better performance than the one relying on geodesics.