UNIT 4

Theory of Shells: Classification of shells, Gaussian curvature, General theory of

cylindrical shells, membrane theory and bending theory for cylindrical shells, long and short
shells, shells, shells with and without edge beams, Fourier loading.

Thin shells as structural elements occupy a leadership position in engineering and, in

particular, in civil, mechanical, architectural, aeronautical, and marine engineering. Examples
of shell structures in civil and architectural engineering are
large-span roofs, liquid-retaining structures and water tanks, containment shells of
nuclear power plants, and concrete arch domes. In mechanical engineering, shell
forms are used in piping systems, turbine disks, and pressure vessels technology.
Aircrafts, missiles, rockets, ships, and submarines are examples of the use of shells
in aeronautical and marine engineering. Another application of shell engineering is
in the field of biomechanics: shells are found in various biological forms, such as the
eye and the skull, and plant and animal shapes. This is only a small list of shell forms
in engineering and nature.

The wide application of shell structures in engineering is conditioned by their

following advantages:
1. Efficiency of load-carrying behavior.
2. High degree of reserved strength and structural integrity.
3. High strength : weight ratio. This criterion is commonly used to estimate a
structural component efficiency: the larger this ratio, the more optimal is
a structure. According to this criterion, shell structures are much superior
to other structural systems having the same span and overall dimensions.
4. Very high stiffness.
5. Containment of space.
In addition to these mechanical advantages, shell structures enjoy the unique position
of having extremely high aesthetic value in various architectural designs.

Definition
“A shell can be defined as a curved structure of which one dimension, the thickness, is small
in comparison with the other two dimensions,”
1. Shell bears the same relation to plates, as curved beams to straight beam
2. In general shells are termed as curved plates.
3. There are two different classes of shell i.e. Thick shell and Thin shell.
4. A shell will be called thin if the maximum value of ratio h/R can be neglected in
comparison with unity .
Where h = thickness of shell
R = Radius of curvature of middle surface
 Correspondingly shells will be called thick shell whenever such terms can not be
neglected.
 OR h/R > 1/10 = Thick shell

h/R = 1/10 to 1/50 = Thin shell

h/R < 1/50 = Shell is too thin to be used as load carrying member.
Some important Terms used in shells:
Ruled surface: A ruled surface may be defined as a surface formed by the motion of a
straight line which is known as the generator or ruling.
Singly Ruled surface: A surface is said to be singly ruled if at every point only a single
straight line can be ruled. e.g. Conical shells, conoids and cylinders.
Doubly Ruled surface: A surface is said to be doubly ruled if at every point two straight
lines can be ruled. Hyperbolic paraboloid and hyperboloid of Revolution of one sheet.
Principal curvatures: The curvatures of a point along the direction of maximum and
minimum curvatures are called principal curvatures.
Middle surface: The surface that bisects the thickness of shell or a locus of a point bisecting
thickness of a shell is called middle surface of the shell.
Membrane Action: A shell which carries load entirely by direct stresses lying on its plane is
called as membrane. For membrane action to be possible, shell has to be thin.
Membrane State of Stress: A state of stress in which the stresses in the shell are constant
over its thickness may be defined as „Membrane state‟. A more mathematical approach
would be to regard the membrane theory as a particular case of the more exact bending
theory. Thus membrane theory results if certain effects in the bending theory are ignored.
Advantages of shell structures:
1. Major load is carried through membrane action and not through bending.
2. Due to this small thickness can be used, requires less material and is economical.
3. Shapes are architecturally beautiful and streamlined.
4. Large floor area uninterrupted by supports is obtained with shells.
Disadvantage of shell structures:
1. Difficult to analyze.
2. Difficult to construct due to complex geometry.
3. Cannot be used as a floor.
Classification of shell

Shell surfaces may be broadly classified as singly curved and doubly curved. Singly curved
surfaces are developable. Thus a cylinder can be developed into a plane rectangle without
stretching, shrinking or tearing. Similarly a cone may be developed into a sector of circle.
Doubly curved surfaces are nondevelopable. Hence they will not tend to flatten out under
loads. Further classification of shell surfaces can be attempted on the basis of Gauss
curvature.

.
Subclassification is based upon whether a shell is a translational surface. Ruled surface or a
surface of revolution
Gaussian curvature 

At any point on a surface, we can find a normal vector that is at right angles to the surface;
planes containing the normal vector are called normal planes. The intersection of a normal
plane and the surface will form a curve called a normal section and the curvature of this
curve is the normal curvature. For most points on most surfaces, different normal sections
will have different curvatures; the maximum and minimum values of these are called
the principal curvatures, call these κ1, κ2. The Gaussian curvature is the product of the two
principal curvatures 
Κ = κ1κ2.
The sign of the Gaussian curvature can be used to characterise the surface.

 If both principal curvatures are of the same sign: κ1κ2 > 0, then the Gaussian curvature
is positive and the surface is said to have an elliptic point. At such points, the surface will
be dome like, locally lying on one side of its tangent plane. All sectional curvatures will
have the same sign.
 If the principal curvatures have different signs: κ1κ2 < 0, then the Gaussian curvature
is negative and the surface is said to have a hyperbolic or saddle point. At such points, the
surface will be saddle shaped. Because one principal curvature is negative, one is
positive, and the normal curvature varies continuously if you rotate a plane orthogonal to
the surface around the normal to the surface in two directions, the normal curvatures will
be zero giving the asymptotic curves for that point.
 If one of the principal curvatures is zero: κ1κ2 = 0, the Gaussian curvature is zero and
the surface is said to have a parabolic point.
Most surfaces will contain regions of positive Gaussian curvature (elliptical points) and
regions of negative Gaussian curvature separated by a curve of points with zero Gaussian
curvature called a parabolic line.
General theory of cylindrical shells

The cylindrical thin concrete shells should not be confused with the vaults, despite the huge
similarity in the shape of both structures, because each of these structures has a different
structural behaviour as well as different requirements in the minimum thickness and the trace
of the directrix.
On one hand, the structural behaviour of the vault is based on connected parallel arches,
which transmit the same effort to the supports . Therefore, the materials used in these
structures have to be able to resists compressions and the thickness is usually higher.
For example, stone has been commonly used as material for the vaults and the spans to
thickness Ratios for this material are usually less than 50:1. Furthermore, the directrix shape
of the vaults must be as similar as possible to the arch in order to achieve the optimum
structural behaviour. On the other hand, the structural behaviour of the cylindrical thin
concrete shell is similar to a longitudinal beam along the generator directions and therefore,
the materials have to resist both compression and tension stresses. This factor takes advantage
of the bars of the reinforced concrete, because these elements can be placed where tension
forces are needed and therefore, the span to thickness Ratios can be increased. Furthermore,
the directrix shape has fewer requirements than the vaults and therefore, new curves like the
ellipse or the parabola can be used improving the aesthetic quality of the structure . The
cylindrical thin shells, also called barrels, can be classified in three different groups: long
barrels, short barrels and intermediate barrels. The differences between these groups are the
relation between the span and the width as well as the structural behaviour.

The most efficient structural behaviour of thin shells is obtained when these structures are
working as membranes. The membrane is able to resist the applied loads acting only
compression and tension in the tangent plane.

The structural behaviour of the cylindrical thin concrete shell is more similar to the
membrane when the wall, where the directrix is supported, is more rigid.

In practical applications we frequently encounter problems in which a circular cylindrical

shell is submitted to the action of forces distributed symmetrically with respect to the axis of
the cylinder. The stress distribution in cylindrical boilers submitted to the action of steam
pressure, stresses in cylindrical containers having a vertical axis and submitted to internal
liquid pressure, and stresses in circular pipes under uniform internal pressure are examples of
such problems.
To establish the equations required for the solution of these problems, consider the various
actions on a small element of a shell are as shown in figure. Size of element is dx X adϕ .
Here we have by symmetry,Nϕ constant, N ϕx = N xϕ=0and Q ϕ=0 also M ϕconstant, and M ϕx =
M xϕ =0. Thus out of six equations of equilibrium∑ F y=0, ∑ M x =0 and ∑ M z =0 are
identically satisfied and are of no use.

Therefore remaining equations of equilibrium are∑ F x =0,∑ F z =0 and ∑ M y =0 .

Therefore now summing up the forces along x direction we get,

eq.(1)
Above expression represents that the forces N x are constant, and we take them equal to zero.
If they are different from zero, the deformation and stress corresponding to such constant
force can be easily calculated and superposed on stresses and deformations produced by
lateral loads.

Note: Body force X along x direction is not considered

Similarly now summing up the forces along z direction we get

Therefore component in z direction

eq.(2)

Therefore ∑ Fz = 0

eq.(3)
Now taking moment @ y i.e. at a distance of dx
 eq.(4)

These are two equations and three unknowns quantities N ϕ , Q x M x thus problem in
indeterminate. Therefore two solve the problem consider displacement of a point in the mid
surface of shell. From symmetry we conclude that the component of v of the displacement in
circumferential direction vanishes. We thus have to consider only the components u and w in
the x and z directions. The expressions fir the strain components then become

Therefore using hook’s law and integrating over the thickness we get
 eq.(5)

Similarly

eq.(6)

Since (Assumed) N x=0

Substitute in the equation (6)

eq.(7)
Considering the bending moments, we conclude from symmetry that there is no bending
curvature in circumferential direction,the curvature along x direction is
 ⅆ2ω
(- ⅆ x 2 ).
Therefore from equation of plate, bending moment in x direction is given by

Where eq(8)

=Flexural rigidity of the shell

Substitute value of Q x from equation (4) into the equation (3) we get

∂ M x Nϕ
+ =−Z eq(9)
∂x a
Put value of M x ∧N ϕfrom equation (7) and (8) into the equation (9) to obtained

eq(10)

All problems of symmetrical deformation of circular cylindrical shells thus reduced to the
integration of equation (10). The simplest application of this equation is obtained when the
thickness of shell is constant. Under such conditions equation (10) becomes

eq.(11)

eq(12)

General solution of this differential equation (12) is

Where f(x) is particular solution of above equation

Membrane theory of Cylindrical Shells
Let consider, an element is cut from the shell by two adjacent generators and two cross
sections perpendicular to the x axis, and its position is defined by the coordinates x and the
angle ϕ . In addition a load will be distributed over the surface of the element, the
components of the intensity of this load being denoted, by X, Y and Z.
Let x axis be taken along the length, y tangent to the cross-section and z is along normal to the
surface. The stress resultants acting on edges of a small element having size dx . rⅆϕ are as
shown in figure. Considering the equilibrium of the element and summing up the forces in x
direction we obtained

eq(1)

Similarly, the force in the direction of the tangent to the normal cross section, i.e. in the y
direction gives the corresponding equation of equilibrium, i.e. ∑ F y=0
 eq(2)

The forces acting in the direction of the normal to the shell, i.e. in the z direction

eq(3)

Note: We find N ϕ from equation (3) and N xϕ N x , by integration of equation (1) and (2).
Bending theory of Cylindrical Shells

The need for bending theory

Most cylindrical concrete shells used in practice are not behaved as a membrane. Along the
edges of shell stresses and displacements are different from those given by membrane theory
usually exists. It depends on support conditions or physical boundary conditions.
Let consider above figure of shell element ABCD which is not supported along edges AB and
CD (free edges) but membrane theory gives that stresses N ϕ and N xϕ are present at this edges.
The actual boundary conditions are realized by applying corrective line loads. But application
of such corrective line load would bend shell and depart from its membrane state. The shell
now seek a new equilibrium and in that process brings into play bending moments, twisting
moments and radial shears. A bending theory is essential to account for these effects.

Strains in cylindrical shell

Displacements in x, y and z directions are u v and w respectively.
Therefore strain in x direction is given by

∂u
ε x= eq.(1)
∂x
Similarly strain in y direction is sum of strain corresponding to plane state of stress and
circumferential strain

eq.(2)

1 ∂v
Where
a ∂ϕ
= strain corresponding to plane state of stress

w
And
a
= circumferential strain
And shear strain

eq.(3)
The Finsterwalder Theory

Starting from 1932 several rigorous and approximate bending theories have been put forward
for the analysis of reinforced concrete cylindrical shell. The earliest of these was due to
Finsterwalder. By making a few simplifications, finsterwalder was able to develop, for the
first time, a theory that the engineer could use for the analysis of shell roofs. The assumptions
underlying all shell theories and the additional simplifying assumption made by the
finsterwalder theory listed below:

Assumptions made in Finsterwalder theory:

1. Material is homogenous, isotropic and obeys hooks law.
2. Stresses normal to shell surfaces are neglected.
3. All dimensions are very small.
4. A rectilinear element normal to middle surface remains rectilinear after deformation
5. M x =M xϕ=Q x =0

Note: First four assumptions are common to all bending theories of cylindrical shells. Last
Assumption was introduced by finsterwalder to simplify the problem.

Equations of equilibrium

It is possible to derive four equations of equilibrium for an element of the unloaded shell
acted upon by the stress resultant shown in figure below.
It is noted that M x , M xϕ and Q xare not to be considered .

Equating all forces in the x direction to zero we get

Σ F y =0
 eq.(4)

Now summing up the forces in ϕ direction, i.e., the direction of the tangent to the shell
element at its midpoint pointing in the direction of increasing ϕ and equating them to zero,
we get
Σ F ϕ =0

Note: First two terms of this equation are the same as those appearing in the membrane
theory. The additional term is the resolved components of shear forces Q ϕin tangential
(ϕ)direction, Q ϕ because is vertical.

Neglecting higher powers of dx and dϕ on simplification we obtained

eq.(5)
Now equating to zero the sum of all forces in the direction of the inward normal drawn at the
midpoint of the shell element.
Neglecting higher powers of dx and d we obtained

On simplifying, we get

eq.(6)
Another equation of equilibrium results from equating the sum of moments of all forces about the
generatrix AD.

∑ M AD =0

Negle
cting higher powers of dx and d we obtained
 eq(7)
Derivation of Finsterwalder eighth (8th) order differential equation

Let us introduce a function f (ϕ) which is such that

OR

eq(8)

From equation (8) into the equation of equilibrium (7) to obtain value of Q ϕ.

eq.(9)
Put equation (9) into the equation (6) to obtain value of N ϕ
 eq.(10)

Substitute equation (10) into the equation (5) to obtain N xϕ

Integrate both sides with respective x we get

eq.(11)

Substitute value of N xϕ from equation (11) into the equation (4) to find out value of N x,
hence

2 4
∂Nx 1 ∂ f (ϕ) ∂ f (ϕ ) λn x
=
[
∂ x λn a2 ∂ ϕ2
+
∂ ϕ4 ]sin
a
Integrating both sides with respective x we get
 2 4
∂Nx 1 ∂ f (ϕ) ∂ f (ϕ) λ x
ʃ =
∂ x λna
2
[
2
∂ϕ 2

4
+
∂ϕ]4
ʃ sin n
a
−1 ∂ f ( ϕ ) ∂ f ( ϕ ) λ x
N x=
λn a[2
∂ϕ 2
+
∂ϕ ]
4
cos n
a
eq(12)
Expressions for displacements u, v and w are derived from stress-strain relationship

eq.(13)

Put values of strains from equations (1), (2) and (3) into the equation (13), we get

eq(14)
Expressions for u,v and w may now be derived by making use of the stress strain relationship
(14). Before we do so, we may set v, the Poisson’s ratio to zero( v = 0). We get

eq.(15)

eq.(16)

eq.(17)
Now consider equation (15) and substitute value of N x from equation (12) to obtain value of
displacement u

2 4
∂ u −1 1 ∂ f ( ϕ ) ∂ f ( ϕ ) λn x
=
∂ x Ed λn a2 ∂ ϕ2 [
+
∂ ϕ4
cos
a ]
Integrating above equation with respect to x we get

eq(18)
From equation (17) after simplification we get

Substitute values N xϕ of from equation (11) and (18) into the above equation to find value
if displacement v, we get

∂ v 2 −1 ' λ x
=
∂ x Ed λn a [
❑ {f ( ϕ ) +f
'''
( ϕ ) }sin n
a ]
λ x
−∂ −1
3
a ∂ ϕ Ed❑ λ n [
{f ' ' ( ϕ )+ f 4 ( ϕ ) }sin n
a ]
∂
Where f’ stands for ∂ ϕ f (ϕ)

∂ v −2 1 1 λ x
=
[
∂ x Ed λ n a
'
❑ {f (ϕ)+ f
' ''
( ϕ ) }+ 3
Ed❑ λn a
{f ' ' ' ( ϕ ) + f 5 ( ϕ ) } sin n
a]
Integrate with respective x to obtained v

∂ v −2 1 1 λ x
[ ' ' '' '' ' ( ϕ ) 5 n
ʃ ∂ x = Ed λ a❑ { f ( ϕ ) + f ( ϕ ) }+ Ed λ3 a {f +f ( ϕ ) } ʃ sin a
n ❑ n
]
−2 1 1 λn x
v=
[ Ed λn a
' '' '
❑ {f ( ϕ ) + f ( ϕ ) }+
Ed ❑ λ3n a
{f ''
' ( ϕ ) + f 5
( ϕ
]
) } cos
a
eq(19)
Now from equation (16)
∂ v a Nϕ
w= −
∂ ϕ Ed
 eq.(20)
Substitute values of N ϕ and v from equations (10) and (19) into the equation (20) to obtain the
displacement w, we get
2 1 ' λ x
{ f ( ϕ )+ f ' ' ' ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 {f '' ' ( ϕ ) + f 5 ( ϕ ) } cos n - a 1 f ' ' ( ϕ ) cos λn x
w=
[ 2
Ed λ n Ed❑ λn a ] Ed a [a ]
2 1 '' λ x
{ f ( ϕ ) + f 4 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 { f 4 ( ϕ ) + f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f '' ( ϕ ) cos n
w=
[ 2
Ed λ n Ed❑ λn Ed a ]
eq.(21)
Knowing v and w we may write,

1 ∂ω
ѵ=
a
ν+(∂ϕ )
eq.(22)
Therefore put equations (19) and (21) into the equation (22) we get

1 2 1 '
{f ( ϕ ) + f '' ' ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 { f ' ' '( ϕ)❑+ f 5 ( ϕ ) }+ ∂ 2 12 {f ' ' ( ϕ ) +f 4 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 {f 4 ( ϕ )+ f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f ' '
ѵ=
[
a Ed λ2n Ed❑ λ n ∂ ϕ Ed λn [ Ed❑ λ n Ed

1 2 1 '
{f ( ϕ ) + f '' ' ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 { f ' ' '( ϕ)❑+ f 5 ( ϕ ) }+ 2 12 {f ' ' ' ( ϕ ) + f 5 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 {f 5 ( ϕ ) + f 7 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f ' ' ' ( ϕ )
ѵ=
[
a Ed λ2n Ed❑ λ n Ed λn [ Ed❑ λ n Ed
1 2 ' λ x
{f ( ϕ ) +f ' ' ' ( ϕ ) }− 14 { f '' '( ϕ)❑+ f 5 ( ϕ ) }+ 22 { f '' ' ( ϕ )+ f 5 ( ϕ ) }− 14 {f 5 ( ϕ )+ f 7 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f ' '' ( ϕ ) cos n
ѵ= 2
a Ed λn [ λn λn [ λn Ed ]]a

eq(23)

We may next find χ ϕ (change in curvature)

1 ∂2 ω
χ ϕ=
a2
w+
[∂ ϕ2 ]
eq.(24)
Put equation (21) in the equation (24)

1 2 1 '' 1 1 '' ∂2 2 1 ' '

{f ( ϕ ) + f 4 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 {f 4 ( ϕ ) +f 6
χ ϕ=
a2 [[ 2
Ed λn
{ f ( ϕ ) +f 4
( ϕ ) } − 4
Ed❑ λ n
{ f 4
( ϕ ) +f 6
( ϕ ) }−
Ed
f ( ϕ ) + 2
] [
2
∂ ϕ Ed λ n Ed ❑ λn
1 2
{f ' ' ( ϕ ) +f 4 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 {f 4 ( ϕ ) +f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f ' ' ( ϕ ) + 22 f 4 ( ϕ )+ f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 14 { f 6 ( ϕ ) +f 8 ( ϕ ) }−f 4 ( ϕ
χ ϕ=
Ed a 2 [[ 2
Ed λn Ed❑ λ n Ed ][ {
λn λn
eq.(25)

❑
Put in the moment curvature equation M ∅ =−D χ ϕ
E d3 E d3
Where D= =
12(1−v 2) 12
 2
{ f ' ' ( ϕ ) + f 4 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 { f 4 ( ϕ ) + f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f '' ( ϕ ) + 22 {f 4 ( ϕ ) + f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 14 { f 6 ( ϕ ) + f 8 ( ϕ ) }−f 4 ( ϕ
M ∅=
−D
Ed a2 [[ 2
Ed λ n Ed❑ λn Ed ][λn λn
eq.(26)
Put equation (26) into above equation (8)

−d 2 2
{ f ' ' ( ϕ )+ f 4 ( ϕ ) }− 1 4 { f 4 ( ϕ ) + f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 1 f ' ' ( ϕ ) + 22 { f 4 ( ϕ ) + f 6 ( ϕ ) }− 14 {f 6 ( ϕ ) + f 8 ( ϕ ) }−f 4 ( ϕ )
f ∅=
12 a
2
[[ 2
Ed λn Ed❑ λn Ed ][
λn λn ]
Rearranging all the terms we get

2 1 1 '' 2 4 1 6 −a2
[[ Ed λ2n
{ f ''
( ϕ ) + f 4
( ϕ ) }−
Ed❑ λ 4n
{ f 4
( ϕ ) + f 6
( ϕ ) } −
Ed
f ( ϕ ) +
][
λ2n
{ f ( ϕ ) + f 6
( ϕ ) } −
λ4n
{ f ( ϕ ) + f 8
( ϕ ) } −f 4
( ϕ
]
) +12
d2
=0
Eq(27)
This is called as finsterwalder 8th order differential equation.

Long and Short shells

This structure is a cylindrical shell having a large radius in comparison to the length. The two
types of shells have uses which are altogether different and the architectural and engineering
problems require a different approach. There are, of course, borderline cases where it is
difficult to distinguish between the long an short shell.

In structures making use of the short shell, the principle structural element is the stiffener,
usually a reinforced concrete arch, although steel arches or trusses have been used. The short
shell serves only a minor role. Many structures built with short shells, such a large hangars
and auditoriums, could have been built with little more dead load by using a ribbed slab or
other lightweight concrete framing system rather than the shell. The architecture of short
shells, therefor, must be based on the exploitation of the shape of the arch rather than on the
shell itself.

Barrel vaults are perhaps the most useful of the shell structures because they can span upt o
150 feet with a minimum of material. They are very efficient structures because the use the
arch form to reduce stresses and thicknesses in the transverse direction. Barrel vaults are
essentially deep concrete beams with very thin web members and may be designed as such by
the ordinary methods of reinforced concrete. The curve of the cross section of the barrel is
usually a circle. However, any other form maybe used, such as the ellipse, a parabola, or a
funicular curve which fits the thrust line of the applied load. Each curve has its particular
structural and esthetic qualities.

A number of terms have been developed to describe cylindrical shells. If the span is large in
comparison to the width, the form is called a long shell. If the length is short, it is called a
short shell. An arbitrary ratio for long shells is a span/radius ratio of 5. A short shell has a
span/radius ration less than 1 and shells between these limits are called intermediate shells.
Shells with and without edge beams

Fourier loading