In this paper, a study on bending performance of functionally graded (FGM) cylindrical shells under transverse mechanical load is presented. Computational and analytical tools are used to study the behavior of FGM cylindrical shells under bending. Analytical modeling is based on first order shear deformation theory (FOST) and a finite element computational tool ABAQUS is used to model the FGM cylindrical shell. Material properties are estimated by power law index. Results from computational tools for isotropic and FGM cylindrical shells with various boundary and loading conditions are validated with literature and present FOST. Stiffened FG cylindrical shells with cutouts are analyzed. The FGM circular cylindrical shells subjected to an internal pressure with various arrangements of stiffeners are also analyzed and von – Mises stresses are also studied.