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Axial wave propagation in membrane shells of revolution
Author(s) -
Counts J.,
Bennett J. G.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.421
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1097-0207
pISSN - 0029-5981
DOI - 10.1002/nme.1620030205
Subject(s) - membrane , conical surface , finite element method , mathematical analysis , excitation , mathematics , boundary value problem , physics , mechanics , classical mechanics , geometry , chemistry , thermodynamics , quantum mechanics , biochemistry
The dynamic finite element technique, which is referred to in the literature as ‘computer‐analysis’, is applied to wave propagation problems occurring in finite and semi‐infinite linearly elastic membranes of revolution. Both semi‐infinite and finite versions of cylindrical and conical membranes are considered, and a finite membrane having a meridional curve which is parabolic is solved. The source of excitation is generally a constant velocity motion of one end of the membranes, but the results for a stress‐pulse input at one end of a semi‐infinite cylindrical membrane are also given. The results for the finite membranes are new, and the results for the semi‐infinite problems are discussed with respect to previously published results. The two‐dimensional state of stress in the membrane requires careful ordering of the calculations, and the boundary conditions for finite membranes are shown to follow logically from this ordering of the calculations. The difference in the solutions resulting from prescribing an axial or a tangential velocity excitation at the end of a conical membrane is presented, and the mesh size necessary for convergence to the solution is indicated. The graphs of the results clearly indicate regions in space and time where the membrane model should be replaced by the shell formulation to represent a realistic structure. The technique is shown to be self‐contained and independent of any formal method such as the method of characteristics.