A CURVED STIFFENER BEAM ELEMENT FOR LARGE DEFLECTION ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE SHELLS

The paper studies nonlinear F. E. analysis of stiffened shells, presenting beam element to simulate the stiffeners. The beam element has curved axis, thin-walled cross section with arbitrary shape and arbitrary layup, and is fully compatible with the shell element. Eccentricity is also accounted for. The material may be isotropic or composites.