Post-buckling analysis of delaminated composite laminates with multiple through-the-width delaminations using a novel layerwise theory

A novel layerwise theory based on the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) has been proposed to evaluate the buckling and post-buckling behavior of delaminated composite plates with multiple through-the-width delaminations. The Rayleigh-Ritz Method has been adopted and displacement fields are obtained by incorporating simple and complete polynomial series which result in much less computational cost. The proposed layerwise theory provides a more realistic description of the kinematics of composite laminates when compared to Equivalent Single Layer theories. Both local buckling of the delaminated sublaminates and global buckling of the whole plate can be handled. The method is capable of predicting response of thick delaminated composite plates. Presence of multiple delaminations can also be handled. In order to prevent unacceptable penetration, contact constraints are imposed on the delaminated area. The three dimensional finite element analysis is performed using ANSYS5.4 commercial software. The results show a very good agreement with those obtained by the analytical Model. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.