Author : M.N. Rao and R. Schmidt

This paper presents a finite element simulation and buckling analysis of layered composite structures. The shell element is based on the Reissner-Mindlin first-order shear deformation theory and the finite element method account for full geometric nonlinearity imposing large deformations and rotations. Finite rotations are treated by Rodrigues parameterization. The combinations of enhanced assumed strain (EAS) in the membrane strains and assumed natural strains in the shear strains are implemented to improve the shell element behavior. Stability analysis of anisotropic short open cylinder, layered cylindrical shells with different lamina sequenceand a hinged roof structure are presented including snap-through and snap-back problems. The present simulations are compared with those obtained by finite element analyses based on first-order transverse shear deformation moderate or large rotation or refined von Kármán-type theories in earlier literature.

Keywords: Geometric Nonlinearity, Finite Rotations, Composite Plates and Shells, FE-analysis, Snap-through Problems

Article published in International Conference on Advances in Mechanical Sciences 2014, Special Issue-2 (Feb 2014)