THE S-VERSION OF FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD FOR LAMINATED COMPOSITES

The s-version of the finite element method is developed for laminated plates and shells. By this technique the global domain is idealized us ing 2-D Equivalent Single Layer model. The regions where ESL model err s badly in capturing localized phenomena are superimposed by a stack o f 3-D elements. Assumed strain formulation and selective polynomial or der escalation in the two models, as well as fast iterative procedures , are employed to maintain a high level of computational efficiency.