A COMPUTATIONAL MODEL FOR ANALYZING INTERACTIVE BUCKLING AND DELAMINATION GROWTH IN COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

In this paper, a unified method is presented: (i) to model delaminated stiffened laminated composite shells; (ii) for synthesising accurate multiple post-buckling solution paths under compressive loading; and ( iii) for predicting delamination growth. A multi-domain modelling tech nique is used for modelling the delaminated stiffened shell structures . Error-free geometrically nonlinear element formulations - a 2-noded curved stiffener element (BEAM2) and a 3-noded shell element (SHELL3) - are used for the finite element analysis. An accurate and simple aut omated solution strategy based on Newton type iterations is used for p redicting the general geometrically nonlinear and postbuckling behavio ur of structures. A simple method derived from the 3-dimensional J-int egral is used for computing the pointwise energy release rate at the d elamination front in the plate/shell models. Finally, the influence of post-buckling structural behaviour and the delamination growth on eac h other has been demonstrated.