Title: A new C⁰ finite element model for the analysis of sandwich plates using combined theories

Authors: Mohamed Ouejdi Belarbi; Abdelouahab Tati

Addresses: Laboratoire de Génie Energétique et Matériaux, LGEM, University of Biskra, B.P. 145, R.P. 07000, Biskra, Algeria ' Laboratoire de Génie Energétique et Matériaux, LGEM, University of Biskra, B.P. 145, R.P. 07000, Biskra, Algeria

Abstract: In this paper, a new two-dimensional finite element model, based on the layerwise approach, is developed for the static analysis of sandwich plates. Both, high order and first order shear deformation theories are used in order to model the core and face-sheets respectively. In the present layerwise model, the number of degrees of freedom is independent of the number of layers in the face sheets. The compatibility as well as the displacement continuity at the interface 'face sheets-core' is satisfied. Based on this model, a four-node C⁰ rectangular plate element with 13 degrees of freedom per node is formulated. The performance of the proposed element is assessed by several study cases, considering isotropic, laminated composite and symmetric/unsymmetric sandwich plates. Different aspect ratios, loadings and boundary conditions are considered. The obtained results show that the developed model is able to give accurate transverse shear stresses directly from the constitutive equations.

Keywords: layerwise models; finite element method; FEM; modelling; sandwich plates; static analysis; shear deformation; transverse shear stresses; constitutive equations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTRUCTE.2015.070719

International Journal of Structural Engineering, 2015 Vol.6 No.3, pp.212 - 239

Received: 17 Jul 2014
Accepted: 06 Oct 2014
Published online: 22 Jul 2015 *

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