A benchmark elasticity solution for an axisymmetrically loaded angle-ply cylindrical shell

A three-dimensional elasticity solution is obtained for finite-length laminated anisotropic cylindrical shells, simply supported at both ends and subjected to axisymmetric transverse loading. Suitable displacement functions are used to reduce the problem to a set of coupled homogeneous ordinary differential equations in terms of the radial coordinate, and these are then solved by employing a Taylor series. Displacements and stresses at critical locations are tabulated for different angle-ply layups and radius-to-thickness ratios for two types of loading. These results will be useful for the assessment of various two-dimensional laminated shell theories. As an example, the accuracy of the Love-type classical shell theory is discussed. © 1993.