C-0 REISSNER-MINDLIN MULTILAYERED PLATE ELEMENTS INCLUDING ZIGZAG ANDINTERLAMINAR STRESS CONTINUITY

Concerning composites plate theories and FEM (Finite Element Method) a pplications this paper presents some multilayered plate elements which meet computational requirements and include both the zig-zag distribu tion along the thickness co-ordinate of the in-plane displacements and the interlaminar continuity (equilibrium) for the transverse shear st resses. This is viewed as the extension to multilayered structures of well-known C-0 Reissner-Mindlin finite plate elements. Two different f ields along the plate-thickness co-ordinate are assumed for the transv erse shear stresses and for the displacements, respectively. In order to eliminate stress unknowns, reference is made to a Reissner mixed va riational theorem. Sample tests have shown that the proposed elements, named RMZC, numerically work as the standard Reissner-Mindlin ones. F urthermore, comparisons with other results related to available higher -order shear deformation theories and to three-dimensional solutions h ave demonstrated the good performance of the RMZC elements.