Flexure of composite plates

A new higher order shear deformation theory of laminated composite plates is developed. The basic displacement variables in this theory are two partial normal displacements and two in-plane displacement parameters. The governing equations are presented in the form of four simultaneous partial differential equations. The shear deformation theories of Bhimareddy and Stevens, and of Reddy are special cases of this formulation. In their models, transverse shear strains will become zero at points in the plate where displacements are constrained to be zero such as those on fixed edges. This limitation has been overcome in the present formulation

Theoretical modeling of laminated composite plates

Formulation of appropriate governing equations, simpler than the three-dimensional equations of elasticity yet capable of predicting, fairly accurately, all important response parameters such as stress and strain, is attempted in modelling a structural component. Several theoretical models are available in the literature for the analyses of plates. The emergence of fibre-reinforced plastics as an attractive form of structural construction, added a new complexity to the modelling considerations of laminates by requiring the estimation of the interlaminar stresses and strains. In this paper, modelling considerations of laminated composite plates are discussed. The classical laminated plate theory and higher-order shear deformation models are reviewed to bring out their interlaminar stress predictive capabilities, and some new modelling possibilities are indicated

Analysis of delaminations in laminates

Delamination is a common form of damage that may develop during manufacture or service, causing degradation of the performance of structural components. Generally, high interlaminar stresses induce delaminations. Methods of analysis, with the capability for interlaminar stress estimation, are useful to identify potential delamination sites. Delamination fracture/growth analysis of critical regions of the laminate is necessary to evaluate the delamination tolerance capability. Combined use of these two approaches may be used to design laminates against delamination and to evaluate delamination criticality. In this paper, theoretical models of laminates with emphasis on interlaminar stress estimation are discussed. A finite element scheme, with a facility for the combined use of three dimensional and two dimensional elements is indicated as an economical tool for the analysis of stresses in delaminated panels. The compressive load carrying capability of panels with through delaminations is also discussed

On the shear deformation theory for dynamic analysis of beams

Timoshenko's shear deformation theory is widely used for the dynamical analysis of shear-flexible beams. This paper presents a comparative study of the shear deformation theory with a higher order model, of which Timoshenko's shear deformation model is a special case. Results indicate that while Timoshenko's shear deformation theory gives reasonably accurate information regarding the set of bending natural frequencies, there are considerable discrepancies in the information it gives regarding the mode shapes and dynamic response, and so there is a need to consider higher order models for the dynamical analysis of flexure of beams

Stability of laminated composite plates with cut-outs

Critical buckling loads of laminated fibre-reinforced plastic square panels have been obtained using the finite element method. Various boundary conditions, lay-up details, fibre orientations, cut-out sizes are considered. A 36 degrees of freedom triangular element, based on the classical lamination theory (CLT) has been used for the analysis. The performance of this element is validated by comparing results with some of those available in literature. New results have been given for several cases of boundary conditions for [0°/ ± 45°/90°]s laminates. The effect of fibre-orientation in the ply on the buckling loads has been investigated by considering [±?]6s laminates

Analysis of laminates with ply drops

Thickness tapered laminates obtained by terminating a certain number of plies contain resin-rich areas called ‘resin pockets’ near ply drops, where high stress concentrations exist. Study of the effects of ply drops and resin pockets on the tensile behaviour of tapered laminates considering certain important parameters like taper angle, the number of plies dropped, and the fiber orientation is reported here. Estimation of the tensile strength of tapered laminates necessitates accurate determination of the state of stress near the ply-drop region, which is, in general, three-dimensional (3-D) in nature. Recognising the fact that full 3-D finite-element analysis becomes computationally exorbitant, special layered 3-D finite-element analysis is carried out. Laminates with ply drops along only one direction are analysed to elicit the nature of the local bending effects occurring near the ply drops. Complete 3-D Tsai–Wu criterion considering all the six stress components is used to obtain a quick and comparative assessment of the tensile strength of these laminates. High stress concentration zones are identified and the effects of number of plies dropped at a station and resin pocket geometry are illustrated. The mechanism of load transfer near ply drops and the local bending that occurs are described. Susceptibility of ply drop zones to the onset and subsequent growth of delaminations is also brought out

On Modelling of Laminates Containing Free-Edge Delaminations

The stress field ahead of the delamination tip and the strain-energy release rate in symmetric composite laminates with mid-plane delamination subjected to mechanical and thermal strains have been studied with the aid of a modified form of the Whitney-Sun theory. The procedure considers the laminate crosssection in three zones based on the geometry. Governing equations have been derived from the principle of virtual displacements, and solutions have been obtained by enforcing the boundary and continuity conditions. Interlaminar normal stresses ahead of the delamination tip and the strain-energy release rates are presented for various sizes of the delamination and are compared with some of those available in the literature

A high precision coupled bending-extension triangular finite element for laminated plates

It is well recognized that the estimation of interlaminar stresses and strain energy release rates is important in designing laminated composite panels. Generally coupled bending-extension finite elements are necessary to study laminates to include the effects of coupling and/or combined transverse and extensional loads. Such elements are normally formulated adapting the classical theory of bending and extension. While the classical laminated plate theory of bending has provision to obtain interlaminar stresses due to transverse loading, it is necessary to include certain higher order terms in the extensional theory in order to obtain the interlaminar stresses due to inplane loads. A high precision triangular element based on a theory which includes both the bending and extension with necessary higher order terms is presented in this paper. The performance of this element is validated with the aid of examples. Numerical results for displacements in symmetric and unsymmetric laminates under bending loads have been given. Numerical results for interlaminar stresses in symmetric and unsymmetric laminates have been given for the well-known benchmark problem of a coupon with free edges. Strain energy release rate components at the delamination tip in coupons with unsymmetric sublaminates have been given. The effects of delamination length and location on the components of the strain energy release rate have been studied. Results indicated that with the use of this element, the interlaminar stresses can be estimated reasonably accurately, over a major part of the laminate except in a small local region close to the free edge. Global-local analysis with three-dimensional elements in the local region, is suggested to obtain local stresses more accurately. Interlaminar stresses at the boundary of a hole in a perforated plate under extension have been obtained to illustrate the use of the present element in a global-local analysis strategy

Analysis of edge delaminations in laminates through combined use of quasi-three-dimensional, eight-noded, two-noded and transition elements

The use of appropriate finite elements in different regions of a stressed solid can be expected to be economical in computing its stress response. This concept is exploited here in studying stresses near free edges in laminated coupons. The well known free edge problem of [0/90], symmetric laminate is considered to illustrate the application of the concept. The laminate is modelled as a combination of three distinct regions. Quasi-three-dimensional eight-noded quadrilateral isoparametric elements (Q3D8) are used at and near the free edge of the laminate and two-noded line elements (Q3D2) are used in the region away from the free edge. A transition element (Q3DT) provides a smooth inter-phase zone between the two regions. Significant reduction in the problem size and hence in the computational time and cost have been achieved at almost no loss of accuracy