New variational-asymptotic formulations for interlaminar stress analysis in laminated plates (Q1080282)

This study reports the authors' further contribution for interlaminar stress calculation in laminated plates [Comput. Struct. 21, 917-932 (1985; Zbl 0587.73097)]. They have examined interlaminar stresses in a rectangular composite laminated plate of uniform thickness subjected to a constant uniaxial tensile stress. The laminate may comprise any number of perfectly bonded layers, each with a distinct but uniform thickness, macroscopically homogeneous orthotropic material. Within the frame of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity, the method of composite expansions along with the Hellinger-Reissner variational functional has been used in order to establish the weak formulations and the pertinent Euler-Lagrange equations for the interior and edge layer regions for high order approximations. Then, a method of finite element analysis for the edge layer region has been developed on the basis of the modified mixed- hybrid method. Further, a comparison of the present results with an assumed displacement finite element solution has been made in the context of computational accuracy and efficiency. In closing, the variational- asymptotic method seems to have fruitful applications in investigating a failure due to delamination for various cases of loading, geometry and material in laminated plates.