Finite element transient dynamic analysis of isotropic and fibre reinforced composite plates using a higher-order theory

Abstract

A higher-order shear deformable C° continuous finite element is developed and employed to investigate the transient response of isotropic, orthotropic and layered anisotropic composite plates. The governing ordinary linear differential equations are integrated using the central difference explicit time integration scheme. A special mass matrix diagonalization scheme is adopted which conserves the total mass of the element and includes the effects due to rotary inertia terms. Numerical results for deflections and stresses are presented for rectangular plates under various boundary conditions and loadings. The parametric effects of the time step, finite element mesh, lamination scheme and orthotropy on the transient response are investigated. The numerical results are compared with those available in the literature, and with the results obtained by solving the same problems using the Mindlin plate element.