An efficient higher order zigzag theory for composite and sandwich beams subjected to thermal loading

A new efficient higher order zigzag theory is presented for thermal stress analysis of laminated beams under thermal loads, with modification of the third order zigzag model by inclusion of the explicit contribution of the thermal expansion coefficient α₃ in the approximation of the transverse displacement w. The thermal field is approximated as piecewise linear across the thickness. The displacement field is expressed in terms of the thermal field and only three primary displacement variables by satisfying exactly the conditions of zero transverse shear stress at the top and the bottom and its continuity at the layer interfaces. The governing equations are derived using the principle of virtual work. Fourier series solutions are obtained for simply-supported beams. Comparison with the exact thermo-elasticity solution for thermal stress analysis under two kinds of thermal loads establishes that the present zigzag theory is generally very accurate and superior to the existing zigzag theory for composite and sandwich beams.     

A coupled refined high-order global-local theory and finite element model for static electromechanical response of smart multilayered/sandwich beams

In the present study, a coupled refined high-order global-local theory is developed for predicting fully coupled behavior of smart multilayered/sandwich beams under electromechanical conditions. The proposed theory considers effects of transverse normal stress and transverse flexibility which is important for beams including soft cores or beams with drastic material properties changes through depth. Effects of induced transverse normal strains through the piezoelectric layers are also included in this study. In the presence of non-zero in-plane electric field component, all the kinematic and stress continuity conditions are satisfied at layer interfaces. In addition, for the first time, conditions of non-zero shear and normal tractions are satisfied even while the bottom or the top layer of the beam is piezoelectric. A combination of polynomial and exponential expressions with a layerwise term containing first order differentiation of electrical unknowns is used to introduce the in-plane displacement field. Also, the transverse displacement field is formulated utilizing a combination of continuous piecewise fourth-order polynomial with a layerwise representation of electrical unknowns. Finally, a quadratic electric potential is used across the thickness of each piezoelectric layer. It is worthy to note that in the proposed shear locking-free finite element formulation, the number of mechanical unknowns is independent of the number of layers. Excellent correlation has been found between the results obtained from the proposed formulation for thin and thick piezoelectric beams with those resulted from the three-dimensional theory of piezoelasticity. Moreover, the proposed finite element model is computationally economic.     

Coupled refined layerwise theory for dynamic free and forced response of piezoelectric laminated composite and sandwich beams

This work extends a previously presented coupled refined layerwise theory to dynamic analysis of piezoelectric laminated composite and sandwich beams. Contrary to most of the available theories, all the kinematic and stress boundary conditions are satisfied at the interfaces of the piezoelectric layers with the non-zero longitudinal electric field. Moreover, both electrical transverse normal strains and transverse flexibility are taken into account for the first time in the present theory. In the presented formulation a high-order polynomial, an exponential expression and a layerwise term containing the electric field are included in the describing expression of the in-plane displacement of the beam. For the transverse displacement, the coupled refined model uses a combination of continuous piecewise fourth-order polynomials with a layerwise representation of electrical unknowns. The electric field is also approximated as linear across the thickness direction of piezoelectric layers. One of advantages of the present theory is that the mechanical number of the unknown parameters is very small and is independent of the number of the layers. For validation of the proposed model, various free and forced vibration tests for thin and thick laminated/sandwich piezoelectric beams are carried out. For various electrical and mechanical boundary conditions, excellent correlation has been found between the results obtained from the proposed formulation with those resulted from the three-dimensional theory of piezoelasticity.     

A coupled zigzag theory for the dynamics of piezoelectric hybrid cross-ply plates

A recently developed coupled third-order zigzag theory for the statics of piezoelectric hybrid cross-ply plates is extended to dynamics. The theory combines a third-order zigzag approximation for the in-plane displacements and a sub-layerwise linear approximation for the electric potential, considering all components of the electric field. The nonuniform variation of the transverse displacement due to the piezoelectric field is accounted for. The conditions for the absence of shear traction at the top and bottom surfaces and continuity of transverse shear stresses in the presence of electromechanical loading are satisfied exactly, thereby reducing the number of displacement variables to five, which is the same as in a first- or third-order equivalent single-layer theory. The governing equations of motion are derived from the extended Hamilton's principle. The theory is assessed by comparing the Navier solutions for the free and forced harmonic vibration response of simply supported plates with the exact three-dimensional piezoelasticity solutions. Comparisons for hybrid test, composite and sandwich plates establish that the present theory is quite accurate for the dynamic response of moderately thick plates.     

Buckling of soft-core sandwich plates with angle-ply face sheets by means of a C0 finite element formulation

In order to avoid using C¹ interpolation functions in finite element implementation of the previous zig–zag theories, artificial constraints, in which the first derivatives of transverse displacement will be replaced by the assumed variables, are usually employed. However, such assumption will violate continuity conditions of transverse shear stresses at interfaces. Differing from previous work, this paper will propose a C⁰-type zig–zag theory for buckling analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates with general configurations. The first derivatives of transverse displacement have been taken out from a displacement field of the proposed zig–zag theory. Thus, the C⁰ interpolation functions are only required in finite element implementations of the proposed model. Without use of any artificial constraints, an eight-node quadrilateral element based on the proposed model is presented by incorporating the terms associated with the geometric stiffness matrix. In order to verify performance of the proposed model, several buckling problems of sandwich plates with soft core have been analyzed. Numerical results show that the proposed model is able to predict accurately buckling loads of the soft-core sandwich plates with varying fiber orientations of face sheets.     

考虑横法向热应变的C~0型Reddy板理论和三角形板单元

考虑横法向热变形,建议了C0型Reddy理论,并用于分析复合材料层合/夹层板热膨胀问题。虽然考虑了横法向热应变,但不增加额外的位移变量。此理论位移场不含有横向位移一阶导数,构造有限元时仅需C0插值函数。基于这一模型,运用虚位移原理推导了复合材料板平衡方程以及构造了6节点三角形板单元,并分析了简支复合材料层合/夹层板的热膨胀问题。数值结果表明,建立的模型能准确分析复合材料层合/夹层板热膨胀问题,而忽略横法向热应变的理论分析热膨胀问题误差较大。     

复合材料面层夹层板中转动一致有效理论

采用分层位移模式，引入夹层板层间和表面剪应力协调条件，导出位移场的修正形式。根据能量误差一致原则，应用最小位能原理建立了复合材料层夹层板的基本方程和边界条件。     

考虑横法向热应变的C~0型整体-局部高阶层合梁理论

通过考虑横法向热变形,本文建立了预先满足层间应力连续的C0型整体-局部高阶层合梁理论,并用于分析复合材料层合梁热膨胀和热弯曲问题。虽然考虑了横法向应变,不增加额外的位移变量。此理论位移场不含有横向位移一阶导数,便于构造多节点高阶单元。基于虚功原理推导了复合材料层合梁平衡方程,并分析了简支多层复合材料梁热膨胀和热弯曲问题。数值结果表明,建立的模型能准确分析复合材料层合梁热膨胀和热弯曲问题,忽略横法向应变的理论分析热膨胀问题误差较大。     

An advanced higher-order theory for laminated composite plates with general lamination angles

This paper proposes a higher-order shear deformation theory to predict the bending response of the laminated composite and sandwich plates with general lamination configurations.The proposed theory a priori satisfies the continuity conditions of transverse shear stresses at interfaces.Moreover,the number of unknown variables is independent of the number of layers.The first derivatives of transverse displacements have been taken out from the inplane displacement fields,so that the C 0 shape functions are only required during its finite element implementation.Due to C 0 continuity requirements,the proposed model can be conveniently extended for implementation in commercial finite element codes.To verify the proposed theory,the fournode C 0 quadrilateral element is employed for the interpolation of all the displacement parameters defined at each nodal point on the composite plate.Numerical results show that following the proposed theory,simple C 0 finite elements could accurately predict the interlaminar stresses of laminated composite and sandwich plates directly from a constitutive equation,which has caused difficulty for the other global higher order theories.     

A new zig-zag theory and C<Superscript>0</Superscript> plate bending element for composite and sandwich plates

A higher-order zig-zag theory for laminated composite and sandwich structures is proposed. The proposed theory satisfies the interlaminar continuity conditions and free surface conditions of transverse shear stresses. Moreover, the number of unknown variables involved in present model is independent of the number of layers. Compared to the zig-zag theory available in literature, the merit of present theory is that the first derivatives of transverse displacement have been taken out from the in-plane displacement fields, so that the C⁰ interpolation functions is only required during its finite element implementation. To obtain accurately transverse shear stresses by integrating three-dimensional equilibrium equations within one element, a six-node triangular element is employed to model the present zig-zag theory. Numerical results show that the present zig-zag theory can predict more accurate in-plane displacements and stresses in comparison with other zig-zag theories. Moreover, it is convenient to obtain transverse shear stresses by integration of equilibrium equations, as the C⁰ shape functions is only used when implemented in a finite element.     

Vibration and buckling of laminated sandwich plates having interfacial imperfections

The vibration and buckling characteristics of sandwich plates having laminated stiff layers are studied for different degrees of imperfections at the layer interfaces using a refined plate theory. With this plate theory, the through thickness variation of transverse shear stresses is represented by piece-wise parabolic functions where the continuity of these stresses is satisfied at the layer interfaces by taking jumps in the transverse shear strains at the interfaces. The transverse shear stresses free condition at the plate top and bottom surfaces is also satisfied. The inter-laminar imperfections are represented by in-plane displacement jumps at the layer interfaces and characterized by a linear spring layer model. It is quite interesting to note that this plate model having all these refined features requires unknowns only at the reference plane. To have generality in the analysis, finite element technique is adopted and it is carried out with a new triangular element developed for this purpose, as any existing element cannot model this plate model. As there is no published result on imperfect sandwich plates, the problems of perfect sandwich plates and imperfect ordinary laminates are used for validation.     

The impulsive response of sandwich beams: Analytical and numerical investigation of regimes of behaviour

An analytical model is developed to classify the impulsive response of sandwich beams based on the relative time-scales of core compression and the bending/stretching response of the sandwich beam. It is shown that an overlap in time scales leads to a coupled response and to the possibility of an enhanced shock resistance. Four regimes of behaviour are defined: decoupled responses with the sandwich core densifying partially or completely, and coupled responses with partial or full core densification. These regimes are marked on maps with axes chosen from the sandwich beam transverse core strength, the sandwich beam aspect ratio and the level of blast impulse. In addition to predicting the time-scales involved in the response of the sandwich beam, the analytical model is used to estimate the back face deflection, the degree of core compression and the magnitude of the support reactions. The predictions of the analytical model are compared with finite element (FE) simulations of impulsively loaded sandwich beams comprising an anisotropic foam core and elastic, ideally plastic face-sheets. The analytical and numerical predictions are in good agreement up to the end of core compression. However, the analytical model under-predicts the peak back face deflection and over-predicts the support reactions, especially for sandwich beams with high strength cores. The FE calculations are employed to construct design charts to select the optimum transverse core strength that either minimises the back face deflections or support reactions for a given sandwich beam aspect ratio or blast impulse. Typically, the value of the transverse core strength that minimises the back face deflection also minimises the support reactions. However, the optimal core strength depends on the level of blast impulse, with higher strength cores required for greater blasts.     

Canonical dual finite element method for solving post-buckling problems of a large deformation elastic beam

This paper presents a canonical dual mixed finite element method for the post-buckling analysis of planar beams with large elastic deformations. The mathematical beam model employed in the present work was introduced by Gao in 1996, and is governed by a fourth-order non-linear differential equation. The total potential energy associated with this model is a non-convex functional and can be used to study both the pre- and the post-buckling responses of the beams. Using the so-called canonical duality theory, this non-convex primal variational problem is transformed into a dual problem. In a proper feasible space, the dual variational problem corresponds to a globally concave maximization problem. A mixed finite element method involving both the transverse displacement field and the stress field as approximate element functions is derived from the dual variational problem and used to compute global optimal solutions. Numerical applications are illustrated by several problems with different boundary conditions.     

嵌锁式CFRP方形蜂窝夹芯梁低速冲击响应及失效机理

采用嵌锁组装工艺制备了碳纤维/树脂基复合材料方形蜂窝夹芯梁,实验研究了低速冲击载荷下简支和固支夹芯梁的动态响应及失效机理,获得了不同冲击速度下夹芯梁的失效模式,分析了其损伤演化过程和失效机理,探讨了冲击速度、边界条件、面板质量分布以及槽口方向等因素对夹芯梁破坏模式及承载能力的影响。研究结果表明,芯材长肋板槽口方向对夹芯梁的失效模式有较大影响,槽口向上的芯材跨中部分产生了挤压变形,而槽口向下的芯材跨中部分槽口在拉伸作用下出现了沿槽口开裂失效,继而引起面板脱粘和肋板断裂;同等质量下,较厚的上面板设计可以提高夹芯梁的抗冲击能力,冲击速度越大,夹芯梁的峰值载荷和承载能力越高;固支边界使得夹芯梁的后失效行为呈现出明显的强化效应,在夹芯梁跨中部分发生初始失效后出现了后继的固支端芯材和面板断裂失效模式。     

A new trigonometric shear deformation theory for isotropic,laminated composite and sandwich plates

A new trigonometric shear deformation theory for isotropic and composite laminated and sandwich plates, is developed. The new displacement field depends on a parameter “m”, whose value is determined so as to give results closest to the 3D elasticity bending solutions. The theory accounts for adequate distribution of the transverse shear strains through the plate thickness and tangential stress-free boundary conditions on the plate boundary surface, thus a shear correction factor is not required. Plate governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by employing the principle of virtual work. The Navier-type exact solutions for static bending analysis are presented for sinusoidally and uniformly distributed loads. The accuracy of the present theory is ascertained by comparing it with various available results in the literature. The results show that the present model performs as good as the Reddy’s and Touratier’s shear deformation theories for analyzing the static behavior of isotropic and composite laminated and sandwich plates.     

High order behavior of sandwich plates with free edges––edge effects

The edge effects of a sandwich plate with a “soft” core and free edges, i.e. the plate is supported only at the lower face-sheet, and the upper face-sheet and the core are free of stresses at their edges, using the high order approach (HSAPT), are presented. The two-dimensional analysis consists of a mathematical formulation that uses the classical thin plate theory for the face-sheets and a three-dimensional elasticity theory for the core. The governing equations and the required boundary conditions are derived explicitly through variational principals, yielding a system of eight partial differential equations. The non-homogeneous differential equations system is numerically solved using a modification of the extended Kantorovich method (MEKM). The model presented enables a two-dimensional solution of the stress and displacement fields when subjected to a general scheme of loads. It is applicable to any type of boundary conditions that can be applied separately on each face-sheet and on the core. A numerical study is presented, and it examines the behavior and the two-dimensional stress field of a sandwich plate with free edges, at the upper face-sheet and core, subjected to thermal and uniformly distributed loads, for various boundary conditions at the lower face-sheet. For completeness, the MEKM solution of the two-dimensional high order model is verified through comparison with a three-dimensional Finite Element model revealing good correlation. Furthermore, the problems involved in the construction of an appropriate three-dimensional FE model of a full scale sandwich plate that require large computer resources are discussed.The numerical study yields that the peeling (normal) stresses, which reach their maximum values at the edges of the sandwich plate, using a one-dimensional analysis, varies also in the transverse direction from a maximum value in the middle of the edge, descending towards the corners. Moreover, the nature of variation along the boundaries strongly depends on the type of loading and the transverse boundary conditions. The substantial variation of the stress field in the transverse direction clearly shows the necessity of a two-dimensional analysis and the inefficiencies of the one-dimensional model.     

The dynamic response of composite sandwich beams to transverse impact

The dynamic response of glass fibre–vinylester composite beams is measured by impacting the beams at mid-span with metal foam projectiles. The beams exist in composite monolithic form, and in sandwich configuration with composite face-sheets and a core made from PVC foam or end-grain balsa wood. High-speed photography is used to measure the transient transverse deflection of the beams and to record the dynamic modes of deformation and failure. For both monolithic and sandwich configurations, a flexural wave travels from the impact site towards the supports. Ultimate failure of the monolithic and sandwich beams is by tensile tearing of the faces. The sandwich beams also exhibit cracking of the core, and face-sheet delamination. The dynamic strength of the beams is quantified by the maximum transient transverse deflection at mid-span of the beams as a function of projectile momentum. It is demonstrated that sandwich beams can outperform monolithic beams of equal mass. The trade-off between core strength and core thickness is such that a low density PVC foam core outperforms a higher density PVC foam core. End-grain balsa wood has a superior stiffness and strength to that of PVC foam in compression and in shear. Consequently, sandwich beams with a balsa core outperform beams with a PVC foam core for projectiles of low momentum. The order reverses at high values of projectile momentum: the sandwich beams with a balsa wood core fail prematurely in longitudinal shear by splitting along the grain.     

基于高阶变形理论的夹层板的弯曲与振动

考虑面板和夹芯的面内刚度和横向剪切刚度以及抗弯刚度,考虑了高阶剪切变形,根据横向剪应变分布情况给出横向剪切转角的位移函数,基于哈密尔顿原理,推导了基于高阶变形理论、适用于软、硬夹芯情况夹层板的基本方程。作为算例,以四边简支条件下的夹层板的弯曲与振动,在不同的面板与芯层的弹性模量比和厚度比下进行了计算,并与Reissner理论、Hoff理论以及邓宗白基于Reissner理论的修正模型的计算结果进行了对比。与前述理论与方法相比,本文方法考虑因素更为全面,对夹层板的适用范围更为广泛,计算结果更为精确。针对Nastran软件计算夹层板的振动问题,对其适用范围作了简要分析。     

Higher-order shear deformable theories for flexure of sandwich plates—Finite element evaluations

A simple isoparametric finite element formulation based on a higher-order displacement model for flexure analysis of multilayer symmetric sandwich plates is presented. The assumed displacement model accounts for non-linear variation of inplane displacements and constant variation of transverse displacement through the plate thickness. Further, the present formulation does not require the fictitious shear correction coefficient(s) generally associated with the first-order shear deformable theories. Two sandwich plate theories are developed: one in which the free shear stress conditions on the top and bottom bounding planes are imposed and another, in which such conditions are not imposed. The validity of the present development(s) is established through, numerical evaluations for deflections/stresses/stress-resultants and their comparisons with the available three-dimensional analyses/closed-form/other finite element solutions. Comparison of results from thin plate. Mindlin and present analyses with the exact three-dimensional analyses yields some important conclusions regarding the effects of the assumptions made in the CPT and Mindlin type theories. The comparative study further establishes the necessity of a higher-order shear deformable theory incorporating warping of the cross-section particularly for sandwich plates.