Finite-element modelling and buckling analysis of anisogrid composite lattice cylindrical shells

Abstract The paper investigates the buckling behaviour of anisogrid composite lattice cylindrical shells under axial compression, transverse bending, pure bending, and torsion. The lattice shells are modelled as three-dimensional frame structures composed of curvilinear ribs subjected to the tension/compression, bending in two planes and torsion. The specialised finite-element model generation procedure (model generator/design modeller) is developed to control the orientation of the beam elements allowing the original twisted geometry of the curvilinear ribs to be closely approximated. The effects of varying the length of the shells, the number of helical ribs and the angles of their orientation on the buckling behaviour of lattice structures are examined using parametric analyses. Buckling of the lattice shells with cutouts is also analysed. The results of these studies indicate that the modelling approach presented in this work can be successfully applied to the solution of design problems.