Thick shells of revolution: Derivation of the dynamic stiffness matrix of continuous elements and application to a tested cylinder

This paper describes a procedure for calculating the dynamic stiffness matrix of tubular shells with free edge boundary conditions. Such an analysis forms the basis for the Continuous Element Method. The method is used to formulate a thick axisymmetric shell element which takes into account rotatory inertia, transverse shear deformation and non-axisymmetric loadings.