Hygro-Elastic Coupling in a 3D Exact Shell Model for Bending Analysis of Layered Composite Structures

In this work, a 3D fully coupled hygro-elastic model is proposed. The moisture content profile primary variable of the model’s displacements. This generic exact shell allows investigations into consequences arising from and elastic fields in terms stresses deformations on different plate configurations embedded composite laminated layers. Cylinders, plates, cylindrical spherical shells are analyzed orthogonal mixed curvilinear reference system. equilibrium equations Fick diffusion equation for dedicated main advantage coordinates related to degeneration simpler geometries thanks basic considerations radii curvature. exponential matrix method used solve based partial differential thickness direction. closed-form solution simply supported sides harmonic forms displacements content. amplitudes directly applied at top bottom outer faces through steady-state hypotheses. final system set homogeneous second-order equations. A first-order obtained by redoubling number variables. field implications evaluated static analysis plates displacement stress components. After preliminary validations, new benchmarks proposed several ratios, geometrical material data, lamination sequences values imposed external surfaces. results, there clearly accordance between uncoupled (where law separately solved) model: differences investigated variables (displacements, contents, strains) always less than 0.3%. advantages more compact mathematical formulation lower computational costs. Both effects connected with layer materials included conducted analyses.