Multidimensional Model for the Stress Analysis of Reinforced Shell Structures

The present paper proposes an approach that can be used to mix one-, two-, and three-dimensional refined models, derived using the Carrera Unified Formulation, to build a variable kinematic model that is able to deal with the static analysis of complex thin-walled structures. The adopted formulation, which only has displacements as degrees of freedom, allows these models to easily be connected to each other; that is, a variable kinematics model can be derived without ad hoc techniques. The refined models used in the present paper ensure high accuracy and low computational costs. The displacement continuity at the interface is guaranteed by the formulation, and no stress singularities appear in the kinematic model transition. The mixed interpolation tensorial component approach has been used, in a unified sense, for one-, two-, and three-dimensional models to avoid the shear locking effect. The accuracy of the present approach has been confirmed by comparing the results with those from the literature and with those obtained using commercial finite element codes. The static response of a reinforced panel and a section of an aircraft fuselage have been investigated to show the capabilities of the present approach. The use of refined structural models makes it possible to overcome the limits of classical structural models and, at the same time, to reduce the computational costs.