Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
<mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 06/2004 |
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<mark>Journal</mark> | Computers and Structures |
Issue number | 15-16 |
Volume | 82 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Pages (from-to) | 1131-1141 |
Publication Status | Published |
<mark>Original language</mark> | English |
On the basis of the theory of three-dimensional elasticity, this paper presents a state space finite element solution for the stresses in cross-ply laminates subjected to combined transverse and in-plane loads. The state space formulation is introduced to solve for through-thickness stress distributions, while the traditional finite elements are used to approximate in-plane variations of the state variables. One of the direct applications of this solution is for the analysis of free-edge effect in cross-ply laminates. By appropriately describing the applied in-plane boundary tractions or boundary displacements, plates having complete free edges or boundary cross-sections with localized stress-free surfaces can be analyzed. Compared with the traditional finite element method, the new solution provides not only continuous through-thickness distributions of both displacements and transverse stresses, but also excellent approximations to the stress singularities in the vicinity of free edges or the above-mentioned localized stress-free surfaces. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.