Recent research advances on the dynamic analysis of composite shells: 2000–2009

Laminated composite shells are frequently used in various engineering applications in the aerospace, mechanical, marine, and automotive industries. This article follows a previous book and review articles published by the leading author (Qatu, 2004, 2002, 1989, 1992, 1999 [1], [2], [3], [4] and [5]). It reviews most of the research done in recent years (2000–2009) on the dynamic behavior (including vibration) of composite shells. This review is conducted with emphasis on the type of testing or analysis performed (free vibration, impact, transient, shock, etc.), complicating effects in material (damping, piezoelectric, etc.) and structure (stiffened shells, etc.), and the various shell geometries that are subjected to dynamic research (cylindrical, conical, spherical and others). A general discussion of the various theories (classical, shear deformation, 3D, non-linear etc.) is also given. The main aim of this review article is to collate the research performed in the area of dynamic analyses of composite shells during the last 10 years, thereby giving a broad perspective of the state of art in this field. This review article contains close to 200 references.