A FINITE ELEMENT METHOD BASED ON THE ENHANCED FIRST ORDER SHEAR DEFORMATION THEORY FOR COMPOSITE AND SANDWICH STRUCTURES

摘要

The finite element formulation based on enhanced first order shear deformation theory is developed to accurately and efficiently predict the behavior of laminated composite and sandwich structures. The enhanced first order shear deformation theory is systematically derived by minimizing the least-squared strain energy error between the first order theory and the higher order theory. This makes it possible implement finite element method based on the C{sub}o shape function by transforming the strain energy of a higher order zigzag theory to that of a first order zigzag theory. Thus, the proposed finite element formulation will be widely used in various application fields. Through numerical examples, the accuracy and robustness of the present method are demonstrated.