Static and Damage Analyses of Shear Deformable Laminated Composite Plates Using the Radial Point Interpolation Method

The radial point interpolation method is employed to analyse the static deflection and damage of thin and thick laminated composite plates using a high order shear deformable theory. The problem domain is represented by regularly distributed nodes. A variational formulation is used to derive the discrete system equations which are based on the third order plate theory suggested by Reddy. The essential boundary conditions are imposed separately, as in the FEM, by means of the penalty method since the RPIM shape functions possess the Kronecker delta function property. The Gauss quadrature scheme is used to perform the integration over the cells and the layers numerically. A Hashin-type failure criterion and a gradual unloading is used with an incremental loading approach for the modelling of damage initiation and evolution. In order to demonstrate the validity and accuracy of the current method, several examples are investigated and the results are compared to those available in the literature. Moreover, side-to-thickness ratios as well as the influence of the number of nodes are discussed.