Finite-element formulation for analysis of laminated composites

This paper presents a multilayered/multidirector and shear-deformable finite-element formulation of shells for the analysis of composite laminates. The displacement field is assumed continuous across the finite-element layers through the composite thickness. The rotation field is, however, layerwise continuous and is assumed discontinuous across these layers. This kinematic hypothesis results in independent shear deformation of the director associated with each individual layer and thus allows the warping of the composite cross section. The resulting through-thickness strain field is therefore discontinuous across the different material sets. Numerical results are presented to show the performance of the method.