A modified riks approach to composite shell snapping using a high-order shear deformation theory

Abstract A modified Riks technique is applied to the finite element method to trace the nonlinear response from the pre-limit point into the post-limit range for a composite cylindrical shell-like structure. Parabolic transverse shear strain is considered through the thickness of the shell. The results are compared with results which did not consider a parabolic shear strain variation through the thickness of the shell.