A Refined Shell Theory with Variable Thickness and its Application
Xu Yanhai, Jia Liping, Zhang Jianwu
(Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China 200030)

Abstract: On the basis of Reddy's higher order shell theory, are fined shell theory with variable thickness is developed to analyze shell structure with variable thickness. The assumption that the transverse shear strain changes as parabolic relation through thickness and vanishes at bottom and top surfaces of shell structure is employed in the present approach. The Ritz procedure is applied to obtain the governing equations of the problem. The theory is used to analyze a radial tire, which is a typical variable thickness shell structure. By comparing the present results with the 3D results from commercial FEM software, it shows the suitability and validity of present approach. 
Keywords: higher order shell theory, variable thickness, radial tire.