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Free edge effects in laminated composites and their numerical simulation

Conference ·
OSTI ID:485111
; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

This paper presents an investigation and three dimensional numerical simulation of free edge effects in laminated composites using p-version finite element method. In laminated composites where the lamina material directions are not parallel to the global axes, the shear strain components contribute to the direct stress components which necessitate the existence of high free edge shear stresses in order to satisfy equilibrium. Simulation of such free edge shear effects using p-version finite element method. The paper also discusses the possibility of designing and using of special {lambda} elements incorporating the analytical nature of the free edge solution in simulating such effects. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the accuracy, effectiveness and the convergence characteristics of the proposed approach.

OSTI ID:
485111
Report Number(s):
CONF-970146--; ISBN 1-890277-03-7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English