On the effect of fibre directions in laminated composite torispherical shells

A linear and geometrically non‐linear computation of a laminated composite torispherical shell subjected to internal pressure was performed by using the layered finite element whose formulation is based on degeneration principle. Geometric non‐linearity in terms of large deformations with total Lagrangian formulation was taken into account. The effect of the lamination schemes on geometric non‐linear behaviour and stress resultant distributions was analysed. The fibre directions have not a great influence on the shape of the load‐displacement curves. In contrast to the hoop stress resultant distribution, the moment distribution is significantly influenced by the lamination schemes. The influence of the lamination schemes on bending moments is greater in non‐linear than in linear computations. Likewise, the effect of the fibre orientation is greater on the hoop than on the meridional moment distribution. In unsymmetric laminated shells the values of the hoop moments exceed those of the meridional moments which is a considerable difference from metallic isotropic shells.