Variational asymptotic modeling of the multilayer functionally graded cylindrical shells

An efficient high-fidelity shell model is developed for heterogeneous multilayer cylindrical shells made of functionally graded material by using the variational asymptotic method (VAM). Taking advantage of the smallness parameters inherent in the shell structure, the VAM is applied to rigorously decouple the 3-D, anisotropic elasticity problem into a 1-D through-the-thickness analysis and a 2-D shell analysis. The through-the-thickness analysis servers as a link between the original 3-D analysis and the shell analysis by providing a constitutive model for the shell analysis and recovering the 3-D field variables in terms of global responses calculated by the shell analysis. The present model is valid for large displacements and global rotations and can capture all the geometric nonlinearity of a shell when the strains are small. A cylindrical bending example of a homogeneous substrate with a thin SiC-Al functionally graded coating under sinusoidal pressure on the top surface is used to validate this model.     

基于变分渐近法的功能梯度板高保真简化模型

为有效分析非均质功能梯度板在载荷下的力学性能, 基于变分渐近方法(VAM)建立高保真简化模型。根据Hamilton扩展原则建立功能梯度板的三维能量方程;利用板固有小参数将三维能量渐近扩展为系列二维近似能量方程, 从而将三维各向异性弹性问题简化为沿板厚向的一维分析和二维板分析;提供重构关系以准确预测沿厚度方向的三维场分布。通过SiC-Al功能梯度板的柱形弯曲算例验证:基于该理论和模型重构的位移和应力分量与三维精确解相一致;在应变很小时, 可考虑任意大位移和全局旋转, 并可准确捕捉板所有的几何非线性。     

DCB test simulation of stitched CFRP laminates using interlaminar tension test results

A simulation model for the delamination extension of stitched CFRP laminates and 3-D orthogonal interlocked fabric composites (3-D OIFC) has been developed using a 2-D finite element method incorporating interlaminar tension test results to simulate the experimental results of their DCB tests. The mechanical properties of through-the-thickness fiber were determined from the results of interlaminar tension tests in which the specimen included only one through-the-thickness yarn. The fracture phenomena around the through-the-thickness thread, such as debonding from the in-plane layer, slack absorption, fiber bridging, and the pull-out of broken threads from the in-plane layers, are also introduced into the FEM model. The present FEM simulation results were compared to DCB test results for certain stitched laminates and a 3-D OIFC, and the simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results of DCB tests, including the load–displacement curve and Mode I strain energy release rate (GI). While it was difficult to estimate GI accurately when the DCB test specimen included different types of z-fiber fracture modes, the present model of FEM analysis can simulate the experimental results of DCB tests of stitched laminates and 3-D OIFC. It is suggested that the GI of CFRP with arbitrary z-fiber densities can be predicted by using this FEM analysis model together with interlaminar tension test results.     

A variational asymptotic approach for hygrothermal analysis of composite laminates

A hygrothermal model for analyzing composite laminates under both mechanical and hygrothermal loadings is constructed by the variational asymptotic method (VAM). The original 3-D nonlinear, one-way coupled, hygrothermoelasticity problem is formulated based on a set of intrinsic variables defined on the reference plane and for arbitrary deformation of the normal line. Then the VAM is used to rigorously split the 3-D problem into two problems: a nonlinear, 2-D, plate analysis over the reference plane to obtain the global deformation and a linear analysis through the thickness to provide the 2-D generalized constitutive law and the recovering relations to approximate the original 3-D results. The nonuniqueness of asymptotic theory correct up to a certain order is used to cast the obtained asymptotically correct second-order free energy into a Reissner–Mindlin type model to account for transverse shear deformation. The present theory is implemented into the computer program, Variational Asymptotic Plate and Shell Analysis (VAPAS). Results from VAPAS for several cases have been compared with the exact hygrothermal solutions, classical lamination theory and first-order shear-deformation theory to demonstrate the accuracy and power of the proposed theory and use of VAPAS. The proposed theory can achieve an accuracy comparable to high-order layerwise theories with many more degrees of freedom at the cost of a first-order shear-deformation theory.     

压电复合材料三维壳体简化数值建模研究

为有效分析三维压电复合材料壳体结构非线性、 单向耦合压电弹性问题, 基于变分渐近方法(VAM)建立了壳体结构在机械和电场作用下的简化模型。推导了基于旋转张量分解概念的压电复合材料三维壳体能量表达式; 利用变分渐近法将三维壳体严格拆分为二维壳体线性分析和沿法线方向的一维非线性分析; 进行了降维后近似能量推导及Reissner-Mindlin形式转换; 提供了三维场重构关系以得到沿厚度方向的准确应力分布。通过对由4层压电复合材料构成的壳体柱形弯曲算例分析表明: 基于该理论和重构过程开发的变分渐近程序VAPAS重构生成的三维应力场精确性较一阶剪切变形理论和古典层合理论更好, 与三维有限元精确解相吻合, 表明该压电复合材料壳体模型的有效性。      

Asymptotical construction of a fully coupled,Reissner–Mindlin model for piezoelectric and piezomagnetic laminates

The variational asymptotic method is used to construct a fully coupled Reissner–Mindlin model for piezoelectric and piezomagnetic laminates with some surfaces parallel to the reference surface coated with electrodes and magnetism. Taking advantage of the smallness of the plate thickness, we asymptotically split the original 3D electromagneto-mechanical problem into a 1D through-the-thickness analysis and a 2D plate analysis, and both are fully-coupled multiphysics analyses. The through-the-thickness analysis serves as a link between the original 3D analysis and the plate analysis by providing a constitutive model for the plate analysis and recovering the 3D field variables in terms of global responses calculated by the plate analysis. The present theory is implemented into the computer program VAPAS (Variational Asymptotic Plate and Shell Analysis). A numerical example of three-layer sandwich plate has been used to validate the present model.     

压电复合材料层合板的热压电弹性简化模型研究

为有效分析压电复合材料层合板在热、电和载荷下的单向耦合热电弹性问题,基于变分渐近方法(VAM)建立热电弹性简化模型。首先根据虚功原理推导三维压电复合板总势能泛函。然后基于变分渐近法,利用板固有的小参数将三维总势能泛函渐近扩展为系列二维泛函,同时将近似泛函转换为Reissner形式以便实际工程应用。最后建立三维场重构关系以正确预测沿厚度方向的应力分布。计算结果显示:基于该模型重构的沿厚度方向横向剪切应力较古典层合理论和一阶剪切变形理论精确度更好,与三维有限元精确解相一致,表明该模型在压电复合材料层合板应力预测上的有效性。     

Refined resultant thermomechanics of shells

The resultant two-dimensional (2D) balance laws of mass, linear and angular momentum, and energy as well as the entropy inequality for shells are derived by direct through-the-thickness integration of corresponding 3D laws of continuum thermomechanics. It is indicated that the resultant shell stress power cannot be expressed exactly through the 2D shell stress and strain measures alone. Hence, an additional stress power called an interstitial working is added to the resultant 2D balance of energy. The new, refined, resultant balance of energy and entropy inequality derived here are regarded to be exact implications of corresponding global 3D laws of rational thermodynamics. The kinematic structure of our shell theory is that of the Cosserat surface, while our refined resultant laws of thermomechanics contain three additional surface fields somewhat similar to those present in 3D extended thermodynamics. We briefly analyse the restrictions imposed by our refined resultant entropy inequality on the forms of 2D constitutive equations of viscous shells with heat conduction and of thermoelastic shells. It is shown, in particular, that in such shells the refined resultant entropy inequality allows one to account for some longer-range spatial interactions. We also present several novel forms of 2D kinetic constitutive equations compatible with the resultant shell equations.     

CTOD for the through-the-thickness crack in a plate of arbitrary thickness

The sectional thickness of plate-like components has a significant influence on the fatigue and fracture properties. This effect is primarily due to the differences in the through-the-thickness stresses prevailing at the tip of a crack in a finite-thickness plate or shell. Characterization of this effect to date has remained largely empirical. The current paper presents new analytical results for CTOD for the through-the-thickness crack in infinite plates with various thicknesses. These results are based on a recently developed solution for an edge dislocation in infinite plate of arbitrary thickness. The analytical predictions of the CTOD and the constraint factor are compared with the three-dimensional FE results. It is shown that the analytical and the numerical results are in good agreement when the numerical calculations are not affected by the size of the FE mesh and by the boundaries of the FE model.     

Prediction of inter-laminar stresses in composite honeycomb sandwich panels under mechanical loading using Variational Asymptotic Method

This work focuses on the formulation of an asymptotically correct theory for symmetric composite honeycomb sandwich plate structures. In these panels, transverse stresses tremendously influence design. The conventional 2-D finite elements cannot predict the thickness-wise distributions of transverse shear or normal stresses and 3-D displacements. Unfortunately, the use of the more accurate three-dimensional finite elements is computationally prohibitive. The development of the present theory is based on the Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM). Its unique features are the identification and utilization of additional small parameters associated with the anisotropy and non-homogeneity of composite sandwich plate structures. These parameters are ratios of smallness of the thickness of both facial layers to that of the core and smallness of 3-D stiffness coefficients of the core to that of the face sheets. Finally, anisotropy in the core and face sheets is addressed by the small parameters within the 3-D stiffness matrices. Numerical results are illustrated for several sample problems. The 3-D responses recovered using VAM-based model are obtained in a much more computationally efficient manner than, and are in agreement with, those of available 3-D elasticity solutions and 3-D FE solutions of MSC NASTRAN.     

Free vibration analysis of shallow and deep ellipsoidal shells having variable thickness with and without a top opening

A three-dimensional (3-D) method of analysis is presented for determining the natural frequencies and the mode shapes of hemi-ellipsoidal domes having non-uniform thickness with and without a top opening by the Ritz method. Instead of mathematically two-dimensional (2-D) conventional thin shell theories or higher-order shell theories, the present method is based upon the 3-D dynamic equations of elasticity by the Ritz method. Mathematically minimal or orthonormal Legendre polynomials are used as admissible functions in place of ordinary simple algebraic polynomials which are usually applied in the Ritz method. The analysis is based upon the circular cylindrical coordinates instead of the shell coordinates which are normal and tangential to the shell mid-surface. Potential (strain) and kinetic energies of the hemi-ellipsoidal dome having variable thickness with and without a top opening are formulated, and the Ritz method is used to solve the eigenvalue problem, thus yielding upper bound values of the frequencies by minimizing the frequencies. As the degree of the Legendre polynomials is increased, the frequencies converge to the exact values. Convergence to four-digit exactitude is demonstrated for the first five frequencies. Numerical results are presented for a variety of shallow and deep hemi-ellipsoidal domes having variable thickness of five values of aspect ratios with and without a top opening, which are completely free and fixed at the bottom. The frequencies from the present 3-D analysis are compared with those from other 3-D analysis and a 2-D thin shell theory.     

Characteristics of three-dimensional stress fields in plates with a through-the-thickness crack

Three-dimensional finite element analyses were performed on plates with a through-the-thickness crack. Global-local finite element technique with sub-modeling was used to achieve the refinement required to obtain an accurate stress field. The existence of a weaker singularity was verified, and a model was proposed to explain the behavior of stresses in the boundary layer. This model is able to account for the competing interaction between the inverse square root singular term and the vertex singular term. The energy release rate was calculated using the modified crack closure method and energy balance. A simple technique without 3-D calculation was suggested for evaluating an approximate 3-D stress intensity factor at the mid-plane. The effect of plate thickness on the size of the three-dimensional region was studied, and the validity of two-dimensional linear elastic fracture mechanics was discussed.     

用变分渐近法进行复合材料层合板仿真及三维场重构

为有效模拟和准确重构复合材料层合板三维应力/应变/变形场,基于变分渐近方法构建单斜对称的复合材料层合板渐近修正理论和重构关系。主要内容包括:基于旋转张量分解概念用一维广义应变和翘曲表示板的三维应变场,以考虑包括板翘曲变形在内的所有变形;基于变分渐近法将原三维问题分析严格拆分为非线性二维板分析(等效单层板模型)和沿法线方向的一维线性分析;通过层合板厚跨比和二维应变量阶数2个较小参数将应变能渐近修正到第二阶,并转换为Reissner形式以便于实际应用;利用生成的二维板变形和翘曲函数精确重构三维场。通过一具有20层复合层合板的柱形弯曲算例表明:基于该理论和重构过程开发的渐近变分程序VAPAS重构生成的三维应力场精确性较一阶剪切变形理论和古典层合理论更好,与三维有限元精确解相一致。     

Modal analysis of delaminated plates and shells using Carrera Unified Formulation – MITC9 shell element

The present paper considers the modal analysis of delaminated composite shell structures with double-curvature geometry. The finite element for shell with variable through-the-thickness kinematic is adopted for the analysis. The refined models are grouped in the Unified Formulation by Carrera (CUF) and they permit the distribution of displacements along the thickness of the multilayered shell to be accurately described. The shell element has nine nodes and the Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial Components (MITC) method is used to alleviate the membrane and shear locking phenomenon. The governing equations are derived from the Principle of Virtual Displacement (PVD) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed to solve them. From the analysis, one can conclude that the shell element based on the CUF is very efficient and the results obtained match closely with three-dimensional finite element simulations. The effect of delamination size, curvature, stacking sequence, and boundary conditions is studied. The results from different ordered theories are tabulated and compared. It is observed that there is reduction in frequencies in the presence of delamination; however, for a given size of delamination, stacking sequence, and boundary conditions, the effect of delamination on shell structure is more predominant in comparison with respect to the plates structures.     

Variable Kinematic Shell Elements for the Analysis of Electro-Mechanical Problems

The present article considers the linear static analysis of both composite plate and shell structures embedding piezoelectric layers by means of a shell finite element with variable through-the-thickness kinematic. The refined models used are grouped in the Unified Formulation by Carrera (CUF) and they permit to accurately describe the distribution of displacements and stresses along the thickness of the multilayered shell. The shell element has nine nodes and the mixed interpolation of tensorial components (MITC) method is employed to contrast the membrane and shear locking phenomenon. The governing equations are derived from the principle of virtual displacement (PVD) and the finite element method (FEM) is employed to solve them. Cross-ply multilayered plates and cylindrical shells embedding piezoelectric layers are analyzed with simply-supported boundary conditions and subjected to sensor and actuator configurations. Various thickness ratios are considered. The results, obtained with different theories contained in the CUF, are compared with both the elasticity solutions given in literature and the analytical solutions obtained using the CUF and the Navier’s method. From the analysis, one can conclude that the shell element based on the CUF is very efficient and its use is mandatory with respect to the classical models in the study of multilayered structures embedding piezo-layers.     

Micromechanics models for mechanical and thermomechanical properties of 3D through-the-thickness angle interlock woven composites

In this paper, a laminate block modeling approach for three-dimensional (3D) through-the-thickness angle interlock woven composites is used to develop one finite element analysis (FEA) model and two analytical models, namely the “ZXY model” and the “ZYX model”. These models can be used to determine the mechanical properties and the coefficients of thermal expansion for 3D through-the-thickness angle interlock woven composites. A parametric study shows that there is good agreement between these FEA and analytical models. The parametric study also demonstrates the effects of the fiber volume fraction of the warp weaver (i.e., z yarn) and the space between two adjacent filler yarns on the mechanical properties and the coefficients of thermal expansion. Finally, the present models are found to correlate reasonably well with the predicted and measured results available in the literature.     

Free-vibration analysis of laminated shells via refined MITC9 elements

ABSTRACT

This article presents the free-vibration analysis of composite shell structures with double-curvature geometry by means of a shell finite element with variable through-the-thickness kinematic. The refined models used are grouped in the Unified Formulation by Carrera (CUF) and they permit the distribution of displacements and stresses along the thickness of the multilayered shell to be accurately described. The shell element has nine nodes and the mixed interpolation of tensorial components (MITC) method is used to contrast the membrane and shear locking phenomenon. The governing equations are derived from the principle of virtual displacements (PVD). Laminated cylindrical and spherical shells with simply-supported edges are analyzed. Various laminations, orthotropic ratios and thickness ratios are considered. The results, obtained with different theories contained in the CUF, are compared with both the elasticity solutions given in the literature and the analytical solutions obtained using the CUF and the Navier's method. The shell element based on the CUF is very efficient, and refined models provide better results than classical ones in the free-vibration analysis of multilayered composite shells. Finally, spherical shells with different boundary conditions are analyzed using various theories in order to provide finite element method benchmark solutions.     

Finite element analysis of textile composite preform stamping

The forming or draping of a textile composite preform may result in large changes in the fibrous microstructure of the preform. This change in the local fiber orientation leads to significant changes in the fabric permeability as well as the mechanical properties of the ensuing composite structure. Therefore, this change in orientation of the tows of the preform needs to be known accurately to calculate the various effective properties of the composite. A new finite element approach for stamping analysis of a plain-weave textile composite preform has been developed. This model is simple, efficient and can be used in the existing finite element codes. The model represents the preform as a mesh of 3-D truss elements and 3-D shell elements. The truss elements model the tows, which are allowed to both scissor and slide relative to one another. The shell elements represent a fictitious material that accounts for inter-tow friction and fiber angle jamming. The model takes into account large strains and large deformations. In-plane uniaxial tension tests have been performed on plain-weave specimens for determining the constitutive law of the transforming medium and to show the inter-tow sliding. Application of the model is demonstrated by simulating the stamping of a preform by a spherical punch. The results from the simulation show good correlation with results from the experiments.     

Combining X-FEM and a multilevel mesh superposition method for the analysis of thick composite structures

The use of simultaneous multiple plate models offers an attractive and alternative solution to full scale three-dimensional finite element method for the global–local analysis of laminated composite structures. In this paper, an approach is proposed where the less accurate plate model, used to carry out the analysis at the global level, is enhanced by more accurate and complex plate models in each laminate subregion where more accurate transverse stress or strain estimation is required (the local level).The total displacement is represented as the superposition of the displacements of a number of plate models. By appropriately defining boundaries to the enhancing model/region, it is demonstrated that the superposition of displacements can be used to locally enrich the solution where accurate through-the-thickness stresses are required. In this manner, a computationally efficient global model can be used to determine gross displacements, and potentially the enriched models can be used to determine stresses at lamina interfaces for the accurate prediction of localized phenomena such as damage initiation and growth. The model is implemented combining an extended FEM (X-FEM) and multilevel mesh superposition approach (MMSA). Extra degrees-of-freedom are added to the model to represent the additional displacement fields, and the meshing process remains independent for each field.The displacements and stresses computed by this approach are compared to literature data and analytical solutions for various plate geometries and loads showing an excellent correlation. Morevoer, the results showed, as expected, that the accuracy of the approximation is improved by the proposed approach compared to using the global plate model alone.