Shell-type structures can be found almost everywhere. They appear in natural forms but also as man-made, load-bearing components in diverse engineering systems. Mankind has struggled to replicate nature’s optimization of such structures but using modern computational tools it is now possible to analyse, design and optimise them systematically. Analysis and Optimization of Prismatic and Axisymmetric Shell Structures features: comprehensive coverage of the background theory of shell structures; development and implementation of reliable, creative and efficient computational tools for static and free-vibration analysis and structural optimization of variable-thickness shells and folded-plate structures; integrated computer-aided curve and surface modelling tools and automatic mesh generation, structural analysis sensitivity analysis and mathematical programming methods; well-documented, downloadable Fortran software for these techniques using finite element and finite strip simulations which can be readily adapted by the reader for the solution of practical problems or for use within a teaching or research environment. Written by leading experts in finite element and finite strip methods, Analysis and Optimization of Prismatic and Axisymmetric Shell Structures will be of great interest to researchers in structural mechanics and in automotive, aerospace and civil engineering as well as to designers from all fields using shell structures for their strength-per-unit-mass advantages.

Table of Contents:
I: Introduction.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Structural Shape Definition and Automatic Mesh Generation with contributions from NVR Rao.- 3 Structural Optimization Methods and Algorithms.- II: Static Analysis and Optimization.- 4 Basic Finite Element Formulation for Shells of Revolution.- 5 Basic Finite Strip Formulation for Prismatic Shells with contributions from NVR Rao.- 6 Structural Optimization of Shells of Revolution and Prismatic Shells with contributions from NVR Rao.- III: Free Vibration Analysis and Optimization.- 7 Basic Finite Element Formulation for Vibrating Axisymmetric Shells.- 9 Structural Shape Optimization of Vibrating Axisymmetric and Prismatic Shells.- IV: Dynamic and Buckling Analysis and Optimization.- 10 Buckling Analysis and Optimization of Plates and Shells.- 11 Basic Dynamic Analysis of Plates, Solids of Revolution and Finite Prism Type Structures.- Appendices.- A The Evaluation of certain Strain Terms.- B Evaluation of the Radius of Curvature R.- C Musical Scales and Temperament.- Author Index.- V: CD-ROM.- A CD-Rom Overview and Installation Instructions.- A.1 CD-Rom overview.- A.1.1 Software packages.- A.1.2 User manuals.- A.1.3 Tools and other resources.- A.2 Installation instructions of PCs.- A.3 Internet links.- B Documentation and User Instructions of Program “SANOPT-S”.- B.1 Program documentatio.- B.1.1 Overview of the program.- B.1.2 Block structure and main routines.- B.1.3 File structures.- B.1.4 Main dimensions and limitations of the program.- B.2 Input instructions.- B.2.1 Main structure of input data.- B.2.2 User hints.- B.3 Specimen input data files.- B.3.l Cylindrical tank under hydrost atic pressure.- B.3.2 Single-cell right box-girder bridge.- B.3.3 Pinched cylindrical shell with curved planform.- References.- Documentation andUser Instructions of Program “SANOPT-F”.- C.1 Program documentation.- C.1.1 Overview of the program.- C.1.2 Block structure and main routines.- C.1.3 File structures.- C.1.4 Main dimensions and limitations of the program.- C.2 Input instructions.- C.2.1 Main structure of input data.- C.2.2 User hints.- C.3 Specimen input data files.- C.3.1 Conical shell.- C.3.2 Square plate.- C.3.3 Cylindrical shell segment with curved planform.- References.- D Documentation and User Instructions of Program “SANOPT-P”.- D.1 Program documentation.- D.1.1 Overview of the program.- D.1.2 Block structure and main routines.- D.1.3 File structures.- D.1.4 Main dimensions and limitations of the program.- D.2 Input instructions.- D.2.1 Main st ruct ure of input data file for static problems.- D.2.2 Main structure of input dat a file for free-vibration and buckling problems.- D.3 Specimen input data files.- D.3.1 Cylindrical shell roof subjected to self-weight loading.- D.3.2 Thin circular plate.- E Documentation and User Instructions of Program “PREP”.- E.1 Program documentation.- E.1.1 Overview of the program.- E.1.2 Block structure and main routines.- E.1.3 File structures.- E.1.4 Main dimensions and limitations of the program.- E.2 Input instructions.- E.2.1 Main structure of input data.- E.2.2 User hints.- E.3 Specimen input data file.- E.3.1 Cylinder with hemispherical bottom under internal pressure.- F Documentation and User Instructions of Program “SP LINE”.- F.1 Program documentation.- F.1.1 Overview of the program.- F.1.2 Block structure and main routines.- F.1.3 File structures.- F.1.4 Main dimensions and limitations of the program.- F.2 Input instructions.- F.2.1 Main structure of input data.- F.2.2 User hints.- F.3 Specimen input data file.- F.3.1 Wheel geometry.- GDocumentation and User Instructions of Program “OPTIMIZE”.- G.1 Program documentation.- G.1.1 Overview of the program.- G.1.2 Block structure and main routines.- G.1.3 File structures.- G.2 Input instructions.- G.3 Specimen user-supplied subroutines and output data file.- G.3.1 Example.- References.- H Documentation and User Instructions of Program “TRAM”.- H.1 Pro gramdocumentation.- H.1.1 Overview of the program.- H.1.2 Main routines.- H.2 Input instructions.- H.2.1 The glossary of variable names.- H.2.2 Main structure of input data.- H.3 Specimen input data files.- H.3.1 Free-vibration and buckling analysis of square plate.- I Documentation and User Instructions of Program “VISOR”.- I.1 Program documentation.- I.1.1 Overview of the program.- I.1.2 Main routines.- I.2 Input instructions.- I.2.1 The glossary of variable names.- I.2.2 Main structure of input data.- I.3 Specimen input data files.- I.3.1 Simply supported circular plate.- I.3.1 Simply supported square plate.- References.- J Documentation and User Instructions of Program “PLATES”.- J.1 Program documentation.- J.1.1 Overview of the program.- J.1.2 Main routines.- J.2 Input instructions.- J.2.1 The glossary of variable names.- J.2.2 Main structure of input data.- J.3 Specimen input data files.- J.3.1 Homogeneous isotropic rectangular thin plates.