Finite Element Analysis of Multilayered Composite Structures
Summary
Finite element analysis of multilayered composite structures has emerged as a pivotal tool in ensuring the efficient design and reliable performance of advanced materials. By discretising heterogeneous laminates into finite elements, researchers can model complex interactions between layers, capturing anisotropy, interlaminar stresses and localised defects. Approaches range from equivalent single-layer theories, which simplify the laminate as a homogeneous continuum, to layer-wise and refined models that resolve through-thickness variations in displacement and stress. Recent advances have focused on unified formulations enabling arbitrary kinematic expansions, adaptive mesh strategies to address geometrical complexities and global–local techniques that couple coarse models with detailed subdomains. These developments balance accuracy and computational cost, underpinning innovations in aerospace, automotive and civil infrastructure applications worldwide.
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Finite Element Analysis of Multilayered Composite Structures publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in finite element analysis of multilayered composite structures across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Finite Element Method: Numerical scheme that discretises a continuum into elements to approximate solutions of structural boundary value problems.
Multilayered Composite Structure: Assembly composed of multiple bonded layers (laminae) with distinct material orientations and properties.
Layer-wise Theory: Structural model treating each lamina separately, enabling through-thickness stress and strain resolution.
Equivalent Single-Layer Theory: Simplified approach approximating a laminate as one homogeneous layer with averaged properties.
Node-dependent Kinematics: Finite element formulation in which kinematic assumptions and approximation orders vary at each node to allow local refinement.
Global–local Modelling: Strategy coupling coarse global analysis with refined local submodels to capture critical three-dimensional effects efficiently.
Carrera Unified Formulation: General framework deriving structural theories via arbitrary displacement expansions and integrating diverse modelling assumptions in a unified manner.
Shear Locking: Numerical artefact in low-order finite elements leading to spurious stiffness due to inadequate representation of transverse shear deformation.
References
- Free vibration of variable-thickness plates via adaptive finite elements. Journal of Sound and Vibration (2024).
- Global/local models of composite laminated structures coupling classical 2D finite elements and arbitrarily large refined analysis subdomains. Computers & Structures (2024).
- Legendre-based node-dependent kinematics shell models for the global–local analysis of homogeneous and layered structures. International Journal of Solids and Structures (2024).
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