A multilevel analysis of solid laminated composite beams

The derivation and implementation of a multilevel analysis methodology for solid laminated composite beams is presented. The methodology is based on a hierarchy of solution levels that enable the prediction of a wide spectrum of physical phenomena including gross quantities such as the beam bending, extension, and twist components, and local phenomena such as the in-plane warping, interlaminar stresses and delamination effects. Three main solutio n levels are proposed. In the first level (level I), only the cross-section al displacements, elastic twist and out-of-plane warping are included. The second level (level II) includes the prediction of the in-plane warping. Th e third level (level III) accounts for the interlaminar conditions and prov ides continuous stresses across interface lines in the case of bonded lamin ae, or alternatively, satisfy the appropriate boundary conditions in region s where delamination occurs. By providing a complete three-dimensional solu tion, the above separation of the problem into a set of solution levels pro vides an efficient solution methodology and supplies a better insight into the phenomena associated with the deformation of realistic orthotropic beam s. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. AU rights reserved.