Large Deflection Analysis of Bimodular Functionally Graded Truncated Thin Conical Shells Under Mechanical and Thermal...

Area of Science:

• Solid Mechanics
• Materials Science
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• Functionally graded materials (FGMs) offer tunable properties but their behavior under complex loads requires detailed analysis.
• Bimodular materials exhibit different mechanical properties in tension and compression, complicating shell analysis.
• Conical shells are widely used in engineering structures, necessitating research into their stability and deformation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the large deflection behavior of bimodular functionally graded truncated conical shells.
• To analyze the influence of transverse mechanical and non-uniform thermal loads on shell deformation.
• To examine the effects of different boundary conditions (simply supported and fully fixed) on shell response.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing von-Kármán large deflection theory with curvature correction for geometric equations.
• Deriving an analytical solution using the Ritz method.
• Performing numerical simulations with Abaqus for validation.

Main Results:

• The bimodular functionally graded material significantly affects maximum displacement, with distinct behaviors under mechanical versus thermal loads.
• The cone apex angle and truncated distance are critical factors influencing both the magnitude and location of maximum displacement.
• Numerical results from Abaqus show good agreement with the derived theoretical solutions.

Conclusions:

• Bimodular FGMs offer a means to control shell displacement, but their application requires careful consideration of load types and boundary conditions.
• Geometric parameters like cone apex angle and truncation significantly impact the structural performance of these shells.
• The study provides a validated analytical framework for analyzing complex shell behaviors, crucial for advanced engineering designs.