On the bending characteristics of damaged composite conoidal shells - a finite element approach

Abstract

A finite element analysis of composite conoidal shells with delamination damage is carried out to explore the bending characteristics of such shell configurations. Civil and structural engineers have always preferred conoidal shell configuration, which is a ruled and aesthetically pleasant shape. The introduction of laminated composite as the structural material has provided the impetus to explore the different behavioral aspects of composite conoids. The laminated composites are susceptible to delamination damage, occurring due to manufacturing defects or over loadings. Keeping the above points in mind, a finite element analysis using isoparametric shell bending element is presented here, incorporating a multipoint constraint algorithm to take care of compatibility of deformation and equilibrium of forces and moments at the delamination crack front. The formulation is validated through solution of benchmark problems, and a number of delaminated conoidal shells with different boundary conditions are solve...