State space approach with FEM for the determination of structural behaviour of composite plates

Abstract

Purpose

An analytical investigation has been carried out for a simply supported rectangular plate with two different loading conditions by using 3D state space approach (SSA). Also, the accurate location of the neutral plane (N.P.) through the thickness of the plate can be identified: the N.P. is shifted away from the middle plane according to the loading condition. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

SSA and finite element method are used for the determination of structural behaviour of simply supported orthotropic composite plates under different types of loading. The numerical results from a finite element model developed in ABAQUS.

Findings

The effect of the plate thickness on displacements and stresses is described quantitatively. It is found that the N.P. of the plate, identified according to the values of the in-plane stresses through the thickness direction, is shifted away from the middle plane. Further investigation shows that the position of the N.P. is loading dependant.

Originality/value

This paper describe the effect of the plate thickness on displacements and stresses quantitatively by using an exact solution called SSA. Also, it is found that the N.P. of the plate, identified according to the values of the in-plane stresses through the thickness direction, is shifted away from the middle plane. Further investigation shows that the position of the N.P. is loading dependant.

Citation

Albostami, A.S., Wu, Z. and Zou, Z. (2017), "State space approach with FEM for the determination of structural behaviour of composite plates", International Journal of Structural Integrity, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 468-483. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSI-01-2016-0002