Static and free vibration analysis of composite shells by radial basis functions

The higher-order shear deformation theory of laminated orthotropic elastic shells of Reddy accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the shell. The Reddy shell theory allows the fulfillment of homogeneous conditions (zero values) at the top and bottom surfaces of the shell. This paper deals with a meshless solution of the Reddy higher order shell theory in static and free vibration analysis. The meshless technique is based on the asymmetric global multiquadric radial basis function method proposed by Kansa. This paper demonstrates that this truly meshless method is very successful in the static and free vibration analysis of laminated composite shells.