INTERLAMINAR STRESS-ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITES - LAYER-WISE SHELL FINITE-ELEMENTS INCLUDING TRANSVERSE STRAINS

Theoretical fundamentals for a 2D layer-wise laminate theory including the transverse shear and transverse normal strains are presented whic h provide a compromise between the continuum theory and the single-lay er laminate theories. Four-node isoparametric assumed strain layer-wis e shell elements are developed which can be applied to interlaminar st ress analysis of composite laminates and simulation of stress singular ities due to concentrated loading, free-edge effects, etc. Numerical e xamples are given to demonstrate the ability and accuracy of the numer ical models proposed.