A New Approach in Analysing the Three-dimensional Behaviour of a Composite Plate

Abstract

The bending of a thick composite plate is studied by using a 2-d plate element with a stiffness matrix derived by a 3-d solid model for a typical element. Constraint equations are used to ensure full displacement continuity between adjacent plate elements. After solving the global behaviour by 2-d elements the local behaviour is studied by using the 3-d model of the typical element. The approach is verified by comparing the full 3-d stress state obtained with an available analytical solution.