Three-dimensional finite-element analysis of layered composite plates
Results are presented for an investigation of the three-dimensional, geometrically nonlinear, finite-element analysis of the bending of laminated anisotropic composite plates. The individual laminae are treated as homogeneous, transversely isotropic, and linearly elastic. A fully three-dimensional isoparametric finite element with eight modes (i.e., linear element) and 24 degrees of freedom (three displacement components per node) is used. The numerical results obtained using this linear analysis are compared with the exact solutions given in Pagano (1969, 1970). It is found that the results of the linear analysis converge to the exact solution as the mesh is refined.