Abstract
This paper describes the application of eight-node and six-node isoparametric shell elements to analysis of orthotropic plates and shells. A formulation of the element stiffness matrix, which reduces computation time is presented. A representation procedure of orthotropy is presented, in which the principal directions of elasticity vary linearly over elements. In order to investigate the influences of numerical integration schemes of stiffuess matrices on analysis results, orthotropic square plates are analysed and compared with the exact solutions. The results show that the reduced numerical integration has similar effects to the ones in isotropy on improving element performance. Several examples are given to assess the accuracy of analysis results attainable, which include a circular plate, an annular plate, a cylindrical shell, a shallow shell and a hemispherical shell in orthotropic situations. The results agree considerably well with the analytical solutions and the validity of the representation procedure of orthotropy presented in this paper is confirmed.
