Modeling of actuators in laminated composite structures

Abstract

Two global/local finite element modeling procedures are integrated to permit the analysis of localized three-dimensional affects in laminated composite plates with bonded or embedded actuators. The first technique concerns the use of variable kinematic finite elements which are elements that contain several different types of assumed displacement fields. By choosing appropriate terms from the composite displacement field, an entire array of elements with different levels of kinematic complexity can be formed. The different elements can be conveniently connected together in a single domain for global/local analysis. The second technique concerns the use of finite element mesh superposition in which an independent overlay mesh is superimposed on a global mesh to provide localized refinement for regions of interest regardless of the original global mesh topology. Integration of these two ideas yields a very robust, economical analysis tool for global/local analysis of composite laminates.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.