Studies of trapezoidal panels under thermo-mechanical load: a nonlinear dynamic analysis

Large amplitude flexural and vibration behavior of trapezoidal panels with sixteen node degenerated shell element are studied under thermo-mechanical load. The finite element formulation has been done considering the first-order shear deformation theory with incorporation of Von Karman’s geometric nonlinearity, and the governing equations are solved using energy and conservation time integration scheme (combination of trapezoidal and three-point Euler backward method). The efficacy of the method is checked for nonlinear static and dynamic responses of both trapezoidal plate and curved panel. The effect of cord to span ratio (c/a), radius to span ratio (R/a), boundary conditions and stacking sequence on the nonlinear dynamic response of trapezoidal panels are also investigated under thermo-mechanical load. Moreover, new results for nonlinear dynamic response of trapezoidal panels under step thermal load with and without radial pressure are also presented and that will be important outcomes for the scientific community.