Cross-surface interface element for coupling built-up structural subdomains

Abstract

A new finite element for coupling built-up shell substructures is presented. The present work extends the hybrid variational formulation of the interface element developed by Aminpour and Ransom to permit coupling between two intersecting substructures. Designed for the assembly of independent built-up finite element models, this technique provides a level of modeling flexibility previously unavailable.

Local fracture mechanics analysis of stringer pull-off and delamination in a post-buckled compression panel

“…With the use of 3-D, local models of these critical areas more information on intralaminar and interlaminar failure may be determined. These local models may be either secondary sub-models of the structure with the appropriate boundary conditions from the global model imposed [9] or local 3-D models incorporated into the global model by the use of transition elements [10,11]. Using these local models the critical areas can be re-designed to minimise areas where transverse or interlaminar stresses are high.…”

“…As the distance increases the buckle in the skin can grow in size altering the loads and moments on the local model. To model this effect, either an integrated global/local model could be made [10,11] a debond modelled or a reduced size of flange and updated boundary conditions applied to the local model.…”