Dynamic finite element model for laminated structures

Abstract

A finite element structural model has been developed for the dynamic analysis of laminated, thick plates. The model uses quadrilateral elements to represent the shape of the plate and the elements are stacked in the thickness direction to represent various material layers. This analysis allows for orthotropic, elastic-plastic or elastic-viscoplastic material properties. Non-linear strain displacement relations are used to represent large transverse plate deflections. A finite difference technique is used to perform the numerical time integration. Assumptions are made about the response through the thickness of the plate that allow for the use relatively large time increments in the numerical integration method. These led to a set of element equilibrium equations which help to keep small error from affecting the values of stress that are calculated. The results from the analytical model are compared with experimental results. A good agreement is found between the calculated and measured values of the transverse plate deflections.