ThemeT HE transient response of simply-supported, circular, cylindrical, thin-shell structures is considered. The effect of ring stiffeners and concentrated masses is analyzed in detail. Superposition of normal modes is used to compute the dynamic deflection and stress resultants for two transient surface loadings, a) an axial band of uniform pressure around the circumference and b) a plane pressure wave which approaches and passes the shell in a direction normal to its axis of symmetry. Numerical results are presented in graphical form for each surface loading for unstiffened and stiffened mass-loaded shells.