Abstract
A transition element is developed for the local global analysis of laminated composite beams. It bridges one part of the domain modelled with a higher order theory and other with a 2D mixed layerwise theory (LWT) used at critical zone of the domain. The use of developed transition element makes the analysis for interlaminar stresses possible with significant accuracy. The mixed 2D model incorporates the transverse normal and shear stresses as nodal degrees of freedom (DOF) which inherently ensures continuity of these stresses. Non critical zones are modelled with higher order equivalent single layer (ESL) theory leading to the global mesh with multiple models applied simultaneously. Use of higher order ESL in non critical zones reduces the total number of elements required to map the domain. A substantial reduction in DOF as compared to a complete 2D mixed model is obvious. This computationally economical multiple modelling scheme using the transition element is applied to static and free vibration analyses of laminated composite beams. Results obtained are in good agreement with benchmarks available in literature.
Highlights
Laminated composites are finding varied engineering applications as these materials possess a good environmental resistance, strength and are light in weight
It is observed that a reasonably good accuracy is achieved in the estimation of the deformations, stresses.and natural frequencies
A substantial reduction in the global degrees of freedom (DOF) can be observed as compared to full 2D layerwise theory (LWT) model due to reduction in number of elements rquired for the entire domain
Summary
Laminated composites are finding varied engineering applications as these materials possess a good environmental resistance, strength and are light in weight. To overcome the limitation of displacement based ESL, Rao et al (2001) proposed an analytical solution based on mixed formulation in which the transverse stresses are invoked as DOF ensuring their continuity. This model has been employed for static and dynamic analyses of laminated plates and beams. Amongst the ESL formulations the higher order theory (Kant et al, 1997) with 8 DOF(HOSTB8) has been reported to be comprehensive and computationally economical for the estimation of global parameters. The positive traits of the higher order ESL theory and the mixed LWT are used together to obtain global as well as the local transverse stress parameters with a good accuracy. A unique transition element is developed to bridge the interface of ESL and mixed LWT based elements
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