Abstract
In this communication, the nonlinear bending behaviour of laminated cylindrical panels in the presence of thermal load has been studied using the finite element-based simulation package ANSYS. The efficacy of present numerical results is compared with published results. Thereafter, the effect of radius-to-span ratio (R/a) on the nonlinear static response of isotropic and laminated panels under thermal load is studied here. Moreover, the nonlinear bending deflection verses x-axis of cylindrical panels at different thermal loads is presented here that will serve as benchmark for future research.