Transverse Stress Calculations for Laminated Composite Shell Structures Using Plate/Shell Finite Element Formulations

Abstract

Shear deformable plate and shell finite element formulations are utilized to predict transverse stresses in composite shell structures. In-plane stresses are computed by solving the constitutive equations at the layer level. These stress variations then serve as input to the equilibrium equations which are integrated to obtain the transverse stresses. The approach improves upon the "classical" laminate theory and thus provides an efficient numerical procedure for thin to moderately thick shell structures.

FE Design Tool for Laminated Composite Plates

“…Kapania [2] gave a review of studies up to 1989 on the analysis of laminated shells. Engblom et al [3] presented a model in which shear deformation is considered in a parametric plate and shell element with respect to the shear effects by allowing mid surface displacements to be independent of the rotations. The model was based on eight-noded quadrilateral geometries with four corner nodes and four midside nodes located at the mid surface of the element with six degrees of freedom per node.…”

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Formulations for Laminated Plates

“…The transverse shear effect could easily be included by modifying the thin plate theory to include transverse shear strain in a constant fashion through the thickness of the plate [1,2]. Several plate and beam finite elements were formulated using this constant shear assumption, see, for example, References [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. This approach is useful for thin and moderately thick laminates but cannot accurately model more severe transverse shear warping that can occur in relatively thick laminates.…”