%0 Journal Article %T Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Composite Conoidal Shell Roofs %A Kaustav Bakshi %A Dipankar Chakravorty %J Advances in Acoustics and Vibration %D 2013 %I Hindawi Publishing Corporation %R 10.1155/2013/539817 %X A thorough review of the existing literature reflects that forced vibration studies of laminated composite conoidal shells with complicated boundary conditions are missing. Hence, the present paper aims to fill the lacuna. A finite element code utilizing eight-noded doubly curved elements together with modified SandersĄŻ first approximation theory for thin shells is used to study the forced vibration behavior of moderately thin laminated composite conoidal shells subjected to three different uniformly distributed time-dependent forces. NewmarkĄŻs direct time integration method is used to solve the dynamic problem. Results obtained using the present code are compared with the values available in the literature, and a good agreement of the results confirms the accuracy of the proposed code. The transient responses of the laminated shell are studied meticulously for parametric variations like boundary conditions and stacking orders of cross and angle-ply laminates and are compared with bending responses of the shell to conclude on the necessity of the dynamic study. 1. Introduction Laminated composites gained popularity to fabricate plates and shells since second half of the last century. High strength/stiffness to weight ratio, low cost of fabrication, and better durability of the laminated composites popularized them in the weight-sensitive engineering applications. Moreover, the stiffness parameters of this material can be altered by varying the fiber orientations and lamina stacking sequences which made them a lucrative option to the engineers. Naturally, a good number of research reports started publishing on laminated plates and shells. A number of researchers like Reddy [1], Reddy and Chandrashekhara [2], Ribeiro [3], and Nanda and Bandyopadhyay [4, 5] reported bending and dynamic responses of laminated shell configurations. A conoidal shell is doubly curved, easy to cast, added stiff surface which is used in the civil engineering industry to cover large column free open spaces as one sees in airport terminal buildings, shopping malls, and in car parking lots. Moreover, these shell structures allow entry of daylight and natural air which makes them popular roofing units to medicinal plants and food processing units. In a number of situations like drop hammer condition in the industry, snow loading in low temperature areas, the hit by wind borne debris develops dynamic forces on these shells. To ensure an uninterrupted service life of the shell roofs, their relative static and dynamic performances are needed to be understood in detail. A number of %U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aav/2013/539817/