Non-linear dynamics of laminated plates with a higher-order theory and C⁰ finite elements

Abstract

Impact responses of composite laminates are investigated with C⁰ finite elements. A nine-node isoparametric quadrilateral element based on a higher-order theory and the von Karman large deflection assumptions is developed. An experimentally established contact law which accounts for the permanent indentation is incorporated into the finite element program to evaluate the impact force. In the time integration, the explicit central difference technique is used in conjunction with the special mass matrix diagonalization scheme. Numerical results, including the contact force histories, deflections and strains in the plate, are presented.