Elastic buckling analysis of laminated composite plates with through-the-width delamination using EAS solid element

Delamination reduces an elastic buckling load of the laminated composite structures and lead to global structural failure at loads below the design level. Therefore, the problem of the delamination buckling of laminated composite structures has generated significant research interest and has been the subject of many theoretical and experimental investigations. However, questions still remain regarding a complete understanding and details of the phenomena involved. In this paper an efficient finite element model is presented for analyzing the elastic buckling behavior of laminated composite plates with through-the-width delamination using a solid element based on a three-dimensional theory. The solid finite element, named by EAS-SOLID8, is based on an enhanced assumed strain method. The study for elastic buckling behavior of laminated composite plates with through-the-width delaminations are focused on various parameters, such as size of delamination, support condition, aspect ratio, width-to-thickness ratio, stacking sequences, and location of delamination and multiple delaminations.