Reissner-Mindlin-Von Karman type plate model for nonlinear analysis of laminated composite structures

A plate model for analysis and design of laminated composite structures subjected to large deflections is considered. The model is based on a facet approximation of the midsurface and Reissner-Mindlin-Von Karman type plate equations. The potential energy functional where the linearized strain tensor has been replaced by nonlinear functions, i.e., the Von Karman model for large deformation is formulated. The nonlinear equations are solved iteratively by Riks' method with Crisfield's elliptical constraint for arc length. The linearized equations are discretized by the finite element method. Load-displacement behavior of the structure as well as failure prediction and identification of critical areas of the FE-model are illustrated with a numerical example. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.