A Study on Moment Attenuation Characteristics of Thin Shell Structures of Launch Vehicles

Parvathy S, Arun Jose K A, Geethu S

Abstract: Thin shell structures near the structural interfaces have local bending moments induced due to local load eccentricity. Thin shells have the unique feature of attenuating the edge moment loads by virtue of its geometry, allowing local deformations. This paper aims to study the moment attenuating characteristics of thin shell structures used in Launch vehicles. Theoretical and numerical solutions techniques are used to study the shell behavior under edge moment loads. Theoretical solutions are derived based on the shell-bending theory and are validated with detailed finite element analyses.

Keywords: Thin shells, Launch Vehicle Structures, Edge Moment, Moment attenuation, Bending theory, Behavior of thin shells