Finite element formulation for cylindrical bending of a transversely compressible sandwich plate, based on assumed transverse strains (Q5939433)

To construct a plate theory for cylindrical bending of a sandwich plate with isotropic homogeneous thick face sheets and an isotropic core, the authors make simplifying assumptions on the distribution of transverse strains in the thickness direction. It is assumed that the transverse strains do not vary in the thickness direction within the sublaminates and the core, but can be different functions of in-plane coordinates in different sublaminates. To investigate the accuracy of the present theory, a finite element formulation based on this theory is made using degrees of freedom related to transverse strains and datum surface displacements. To obtain improved stresses and strains from the finite element solutions, various techniques are devised. A cylindrical bending of a simply supported plate under a uniform load on the upper surface is considered, and the numerical results are in good agreement with the corresponding values from an exact elasticity solution. The present model of a sandwich plate in cylindrical bending appears to have a wide range of applicability.