Best Shell Models for Multilayered Structures
Abstract
Best shell theories for composite structures are presented in this paper. The best shell model is a refined model that offers the lowest possible error for a given number of unknown variables. Best models are given by the Best Theory Diagram (BTD) in which the number of unknown variables vs. the accuracy of the model is plotted, as in Fig. 1. The accuracy is evaluated with respect to an exact or quasi-exact solution, and a graphical notation is employed to indicated the reduced models in which the black triangles stand for the active terms and the white triangles stand for the inactive terms. The axiomatic/asymptotic method (AAM) [1, 2, 3] and the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) are employed to build BTDs. The AAM is a techniques that allow us to evaluate the influence of each unknown variable on the solution of a given structural problem. The CUF is used to generate any-order refined shell models. Equivalent single layer and layer-wise theories are considered. BTDs are built by considering the influ-