Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop a procedure for performing a dynamic analysis in the case that a geometrically nonlinear shell-structure in three dimensions moves along a nonlinear trajectory at variable velocity. The finite-element equations of motion were derived in the case that the shell-structure undergoes large translational and rotational displacements in three dimensions. A computational code for time history response analysis of shell structures was then developed. The validity of the formulations and the developed computational code was verified by the comparing the numerical solutions obtained using the developed computational code with our experimental results of the static bending and free vibration of the cantilever plate. Then a comparison was made between the calculated results and the experimental ones in the case that the clamped end of the cantilever plate moved along the trajectory of an arc.
