TY - JOUR

T1 - A semi-analytical finite element for laminated composite plates

AU - Sheng, H Y

AU - Ye, J Q

PY - 2002/7

Y1 - 2002/7

N2 - This paper presents a semi-analytical finite element solution for laminated composite plates. The method is based on a mixed variational principle that involves both displacements and stresses. Finite element meshes are only used in the plane of plate, while the through thickness distributions of displacements and stresses are obtained using the method of state equations. Numerical results show that the rate of convergence of the new method is fast and the solutions can be very close to corresponding exact three-dimensional ones. The use of a recursive formulation of the state equations leads to an algebra equation system, from which solution are sought, whose dimension is independent of the numbers of layers of the plate considered. 

AB - This paper presents a semi-analytical finite element solution for laminated composite plates. The method is based on a mixed variational principle that involves both displacements and stresses. Finite element meshes are only used in the plane of plate, while the through thickness distributions of displacements and stresses are obtained using the method of state equations. Numerical results show that the rate of convergence of the new method is fast and the solutions can be very close to corresponding exact three-dimensional ones. The use of a recursive formulation of the state equations leads to an algebra equation system, from which solution are sought, whose dimension is independent of the numbers of layers of the plate considered. 

KW - State equation

KW - Three-dimensional elasticity

KW - Laminated composite plate

KW - Finite element

U2 - 10.1016/S0263-8223(02)00075-2

DO - 10.1016/S0263-8223(02)00075-2

M3 - Journal article

VL - 57

SP - 117

EP - 123

JO - Composite Structures

JF - Composite Structures

SN - 0263-8223

IS - 1-4

ER -