Nonlinear dynamic response of functionally graded half-cylinder sandwich shells with elastic boundary conditions subjected to explosive loading

Abstract

This study presents a nonlinear dynamic analysis of functionally graded half-cylinder sandwich (FGhCS) shells with elastic boundary conditions (EBCs) subjected to explosive loading (EL). An efficient finite element framework is developed based on a novel first-order shear deformation theory (n-FSDT) to account for both geometric and material nonlinearities. The governing equations are systematically derived from Hamilton’s principle, incorporating large deformation effects through von Kármán-type kinematics. The proposed model is validated against benchmark solutions, demonstrating high accuracy and improved computational efficiency. Parametric investigations are performed to assess the influences of geometric characteristics, material gradation, and boundary stiffness on the dynamic response. The results reveal that appropriate material distribution and elastic restraints can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of explosive loads, providing valuable insights for the optimal design of sandwich shell structures.