Nonlinear free vibration of spherical shell panel using higher order shear deformation theory – A finite element approach

A nonlinear finite element model for geometrically large amplitude free vibration analysis of doubly curved composite spherical shell panel is presented using higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The nonlinearity is introduced in the Green–Lagrange sense. The governing equations of the vibrated shell panel are derived using the Variational approach. Frequency ratios (nonlinear frequency to linear frequency) of the spherical panels are determined as a function of shell amplitude ratio. The results are computed for different orthotropicity ratios, stacking sequences, thickness ratios, amplitude ratios and boundary conditions and also compared with those available in literature.