On the numerical analysis of local effects in composite structures

Abstract

A numerical model for the nonlinear analysis of thick laminates is presented. Using a multiplicative decomposition of the displacement vector in shell space, the 3D problem is reduced to a 2D problem. Although the total number of degrees of freedom is comparable to 3D brick elements this approach provides several advantages, e.g. a simplified mesh generation due to a 2D-type data structure and a better bending behavior. The developed isoparametric quadrilateral finite element is capable of predicting interlaminar stresses and local effects. Several linear and nonlinear examples are presented to illustrate the performance of the developed numerical model.