Equivalent single layer model for thin laminated cylindrical shells

In this chapter we consider the equivalent single layer model for thin multi-layered cylindrical shells. It is based on the generalized Timoshenko hypotheses and results in nonlinear governing equations for the whole stacked sequence of an elastic laminated shell. Considering variations of the nonlinear equations, we derive buckling equations of a thin elastic laminated shell loaded with static conservative loads. The derived dynamic equations are adapted for the case when a shell is assembled from elastic and viscoelastic layers with properties represented by a complex shear modulus. Viscoelastic layers or cores are assumed to be made of smart materials, such as magnetorheological elastomers and electrorheological composites. The reader can become acquainted with elastic and rheological properties of some smart viscoelastic materials which may be used as damping elements of smart thin-walled laminated shells.