Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Shell Model of Koiter's Type with Variable Thickness

In this paper, we propose a new model “of Koiter's type” for nonlinearly elastic shells with variable thickness, which generalizes a model recently proposed by P.G. Ciarlet for shells with constant thickness. We justify this model by means of an asymptotic analysis, by showing that its solution behaves either like that of a “membrane” or like that of a “flexural” shell as the thickness goes to zero.