A MODIFIED FINITE-ELEMENT SMEARING TECHNIQUE FOR FREE-EDGE STRESS-ANALYSIS

A new finite-element smearing scheme is presented in the present study to provide a practical yet accurate free-edge stress analysis. It is proposed that, in the area away from the free edge of the laminate, al l layers are to be smeared into one layers of finite elements, while n ear the free edge each layer is to be modeled as one layer of finite e lements. Compatibility between the smeared elements and the regular el ements is enforced by the penalty method. The resent technique can be applied to general laminates with various geometries, loadings, etc. T he results of two example problems can show that the present approach is simple, accurate, and economical in computing free edge stresses of laminates.