Large deflections of laminated beams with interlayer slips

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to present development of a layer‐wise (LW) beam model for geometric nonlinear finite element analysis of laminated beams with partial layer interaction.Design/methodology/approachThe model is built assuming first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) at layer level and moderate interlayer slips. LW kinematic, strain and stress fields are established in view of co‐rotational finite element formulation. Laminated beam equilibrium relations are developed in strong, weak and matrix form. A notion of interface shear stress is used to define layer interactions.FindingsThrough suitable choice of kinematic model the co‐rotational approach is shown to provide means of obtaining robust finite element formulation for geometric nonlinear analysis of laminated structures with interlayer slips.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed model is dedicated to geometric nonlinear finite element analysis of laminated beams undergoing large planar displacements, subject to small strains and moderate interlayer slips.Originality/valueNovelty of the proposed approach is based on encompassing shear deformations in geometric nonlinear analysis of laminated beams with interlayer slips. Arbitrary number of layers is considered.