Application of refined theory in the nonlinear analysis of composite laminated structures

A higher order theory for the analysis of plates and shells is presented. The theory considers transverse shear and normal deformation and is based on hypotheses in which nonlinearly elastic or elastoplastic behavior of the materials is included. The number and sequence of transversely isotropic layers are arbitrary and the layers may differ significantly in their physical and mechanical properties. A discrete-continuous scheme of the finite element method are developed for the implementation of the nonlinear higher order theory. In this scheme, the degrees of freedom of the elements are independent of the number of layers. The results presented illustrate the importance of modelling both transverse shear and normal deformation in the nonlinear analysis of laminated structures.The research presented in this study was supported by a Core Programmes Grant from the Foundation of Research Development of South Africa