The prediction of the dynamic behaviour of composite shells is obtained using a mixed numerical and experimental approach. It concerns natural frequencies, mode shapes and frequency response. A specific multilayered shell finite element is developed and the model is updated using a sensibility method based on perturbation theory. A modal damping model is used for the frequency response. The application concerns a thin carbon-epoxy plate and good agreement is obtained. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.