Geometrically non-linear bending of composite imperfect cylindrical shells under hygrothermal environment

The composite cylindrical panels are preferred by the engineers to construct wide variety of weight sensitive engineering structures. The roofs of railway stations, wings of an aircraft and submarine hulls are typical examples. The popularity of cylindrical panel is attributed to easy to construct and aesthetically appealing surface. The laminated composites are preferred due to extraordinary strength for constant material consumption and flexibility to orient the major load carrying capacity along the governing stresses. The industrial applications of composite shells often subjected to hygrothermal stresses. The effects of hygrothermal stresses are more pronounced for imperfect panels. Research studies on composite cylindrical panels are not very few in numbers but the bending performances under hygrothermal stresses including imperfections is yet to receive due attention. Hence, this paper aims to work on that area. The cylindrical panels are considered to have imperfect (longer/shorter) dimensions due to fabrication error. The initial stresses due to the hygrothermal environment are considered. The governing equations include constant shear strains with proper correct factors, von-Karman strains and minimising total potential energy. The bending performances in terms of maximum non-dimensional central deflections and mode shapes are critically studied for varying radius of curvature, ratios of plan dimensions and imperfection amplitudes.