Each shell layer allows for a fully three dimensional constitutive model. The reinforcement is taken into account as general nonlinear orthotropic material based on a plasticity fomrulation. A first example shows the computation of the well known experimental works by Bouma. Among the many shells that were tested we have chosen one setup which is described in detail on the pictures to the left. The results show good agreement not only of the load-displacement behaviour but also the ultimative failure mode can be predicted.
More detailed information is given in the appertaining publication.
An almost similar experiment was conducted by Hedgren and coworkers in 1965. Here a parabolic concrete shell was subjected to hydrostatic load. Our numerical simulation can be inspected by the following 'Quicktime' movie. A new application of the model together with some modified constitutive relations for the reinforcement can be found in the field of textile reinforced concrete structures. A few impressions of our numerical results are given in the following 'Quicktime' movie.