Abstract: Transient temperature and thermal stress fields in laminated composite shells of revolution are studied by using finite element method. A variety of temperature boundary conditions are taken into account. Each ply is assumed to be transversely isotropic, but its ply angle may be arbitrary. To improve the accuracy of the transient temperature field, a new method of heat capacity matrix lumping is developed for a eight-node isoparametric element. According to the numerical results presented, the law of heat conduction is discussed. The transient behavior is assessed by comparing with the distribution and magnitude of transient thermal stresses with those of steady thermal stresses.

Key words: laminated composite shell of revolution, transient temperature field, thermal stress