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1. In-plane and out-of-plane effects in shells:

Membrane and Bending theories

Shell theory:
Consider some possible types of state of stress for thin
shells:
1. If the flexural stresses are negligible compared with the
membrane stresses then such a type of state of stress is
called a membrane or momentless state of stress.
2. If, to the contrary, the membrane stresses are negligible in
comparison with the flexural stresses, then such a type of
state of stress is referred to as a pure flexural or moment
state of stress.
3. If the flexural and membrane stresses are of the same
order, then such a state of stress is called a mixed state of
stress, or edge effect. The term ‘‘edge effect’’ is associated
with the fact that the above-mentioned mixed state of
stress often occurs near edges of the shell.

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Example:

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Membrane theory:
• A shell mainly balances an applied transverse load,
much like an arch, by means of tensile and
compressive stresses, referred to as the membrane
or direct stresses.

These stresses are uniformly distributed over the shell
thickness. Such a state of stress is called the momentless
or membrane state of stress.
• Although the shear force and bending and twisting
moments are still present in the general case of
loading, the efficiency of the shell form rests with the
presence of the membrane stresses, as the primary
means of resistance with the bending stress
resultants and couples are minimized.
Membrane theory:
• The membrane stress condition is an ideal state at
which a designer should aim.
• It should be noted that structural materials are
generally far more efficient in an extensional rather
in a flexural mode because:
1. Strength properties of all materials can be used completely
in tension (or compression), since all fibers over the cross
section are equally strained and load-carrying capacity
may simultaneously reach the limit for the whole section
of the component.
2. The membrane stresses are always less than the
corresponding bending stresses for thin shells under the
same loading conditions.
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Membrane theory:
• Under appropriate loading and boundary conditions,
however, the resulting bending and twisting
moments are either zero, or so small that they may
be neglected.

Such a state of stress is referred to as the membrane state
of stress because of the analogy to membranes that
cannot support bending and twisting moments.
• The corresponding theory of thin shells that deals
with this state of stress is called the membrane
theory of shells.
Membrane theory:
It can be shown that the following conditions are
necessary and sufficient for an existence of the
momentless state of stress in thin shells:
(a) The boundaries of a shell are free from transverse shear
forces and moments. Loads applied to the shell boundaries
must lie in planes that are tangent to the middle surface of
the shell.
(b) The normal displacements and rotations at the shell edges
are unconstrained: that is, these edges can displace freely in
the direction of the normal to the middle surface.
(c) A shell must have a smoothly varying and continuous surface.
(d) The components of the surface and edge loads must be also
smooth and continuous functions of the coordinates.
If these conditions are violated, fully or partially, flexural
stresses occur.
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Bending theory:
• Note that the pure bending conditions have no
advantages and should be avoided because shells, in
view of their small thickness, possess a low strength
for this deformation.

However, sometimes bending conditions cannot be
avoided. It turns out that strong severe bending conditions
are localized only in a small domain near some
discontinuities in loading and geometrical conditions, as
well as near supports, etc.

As we move away from such a disturbance zone, the
bending stresses will diminish rapidly and a considerable
part of the shell will be in the momentless stress condition.
Therewith, the thinner the shell the faster this decrease of
bending stresses.
Bending theory: Edge bending effects
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Bending theory:
• At locations where the deflections are restricted, or
there is a change in geometry, such as the cylindrical-
to-spherical shell junction, the membrane theory is
inadequate to maintain deflection and rotation
compatibility between the shells.
• At these locations, discontinuity forces and moments
are developed that result in bending and shear
stresses in the shell.
• It should be noted that these bending and shear
stresses are localized over a small area of the shell,
and they dissipate rapidly along the shell.
Basic equations for 3D elastic continuum:
• Equilibrium (Kinetic) relationships:
• Geometric (compatibility) relationships:
• Material (constitutive) relationships:
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Solution Procedure:
Stiffness differential operator matrix