ABSTRACT
A new axisymmetric shell model based on a three-field dual and mixed variational principle is derived for elastostatic analysis providing that the material properties and the boundary conditions are axisymmetric. Non-uniform Rational B-Splines – NURBS – have been used for the interpolation of the meridian curve of shell mid-surface in order to determine the deformation- and stress state of any general axisymmetric shell. The fundamental variables are the non-symmetric stress tensor, the displacement and the infinitesimal rotation vector. Since the standard kinematical assumptions are not used during the dimensional reduction procedure the inverse of the unmodified 3D constitutive relations can be applied. The shell model developed this way serves as a theoretical basis for the construction of the related hp-version finite elements.
