LAUSR

Abstract Membrane forces and cross-section deformation of a rotating toroidal shell due to internal pressure and centrifugal load are determined analytically, as a prerequisite for vibration analysis. Tensional forces, as a result of shell theory (membrane + bending), are also calculated by the finite strip method (FSM) and the finite element method (FEM) for comparison. The pressure induced membrane forces are almost equal to the tensional forces. In case of a rotating shell there are some differences between these two types of forces. The influence of the membrane/tensional forces on natural vibrations is analyzed in the case of a closed toroidal shell. The calculation is performed by the Rayleigh–Ritz method (RRM), FSM and FEM.