The scaled boundary finite element method is a semi-analytical analysis technique, which combines the advantages of the finite element method and the boundary-element method. Assuming that the geometry of the governing structure can be represented by mapping its boundary with respect to the so-called scaling coordinate, the problem can be handled in a closed-form analytical manner in the scaling direction and by a finite-element approximation in the other directions. Thus, a discretization of the boundary is sufficient and the nodal degrees of freedom are functions of the scaling coordinate. In some situations, such as the analysis of the free-edge effect in laminated plates, it is useful to introduce kinematic coupling equations, which are valid not only on the boundary, but also within the domain. The implementation of linear kinematic coupling equations within the method is presented for the case of a three-dimensional structure with scaling in a fixed Cartesian direction. Rigid-body modes are handled by using the concept of generalized inverse matrices. In some benchmark examples the efficiency of the approach is demonstrated and comparison with the results of the finite-element method shows good accordance.
The present paper considers the effect of electromechanical coupling on the interlaminar stresses and the electric field strengths at free edges of laminated plates with piezoelectric material properties. The results of coupled and uncoupled piezoelectric analyses performed by use of the finite element method are compared. Exemplarily, a symmetric cross-ply and a symmetric angle-ply laminate are investigated under uniaxial tension and without any electrical loading. It is shown that the interlaminar stresses at the free edge are significantly higher in the coupled case for the symmetric cross-ply laminate, whereas the coupling effect for the symmetric angle-ply laminate is of minor significance. In addition, the occurrence of electric field strengths with singular character is revealed.
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