Analysis of laminated anisotropic shell structures by finite element method

Abstract

A finite element formulation for the analysis of fiber reinforced laminated shell structures is presented. The element adopted is a doubly curved 8-node shell element. Shear deformation and coupling terms between bending and extension are included in the formulation. Numerical characteristics of the element with respect to mesh size are checked for a plate with various boundary conditions and a pinched cylinder. Also degeneracy due to thinness of a pinched cylinder is examined. The developed element has demonstrated its applicability by showing the effect of anisotropy on the hoop stress and the displacements and the effect of material properties and boundary condition on the stresses for a clamped cylinder. In addition to the stress analysis, a routine for the interactive first-ply failure load between internal pressure and axial tension for some laminated cylinders is also developed.