An Eight-Node Non-Conforming Generalized Partial Hybrid Element and Its Application in Stress Analysis of Repaired Composite Laminate Structures

Abstract

To ensure the overall continuity of displacement and out-of-plane stress in composite laminate structures and to quantitatively analyze the mechanical properties of composite materials after damage or repair, a finite element solution method is applied based on the modified generalized H–R variational principle. This method utilizes an eight-node non-conforming generalized partial hybrid element (NCGPME8). The partial hybrid model established with this hybrid element can accurately satisfy the out-of-plane stress boundary conditions of the structure, ensuring the continuity of out-of-plane stress. Numerical examples are used to validate that this hybrid model can effectively compute thick and thin laminate structures with high accuracy and rapid convergence of out-of-plane stress. Finally, considering the insensitivity to irregular meshes and the accuracy in calculating in-plane stress, this method is propagated by element coefficient deduction or element material replacement, then employed to analyze the in-plane and out-of-plane stress distributions of laminates with damage from stepwise grinding perforations, and laminates repaired in a stepwise fashion. Stress and displacement at different locations on the laminates are compared and analyzed, leading to a quantitative assessment of the impact of damage and repair on the stress distribution of the laminates.