Transient response of isotropic, orthotropic and anisotropic composite-sandwich shells with the superparametric element

Abstract

The first-order Reissner-Mindlin shear deformation theory (FOST) is employed to investigate the transient response of isotropic, layered orthotropic and anisotropic composite and sandwich shells. The eight-noded Serendipity and nine-noded Lagrangian quadrilateral superparametric shell elements are used. Numerical convergence and stability of the elements are established using an explicit central difference technique with a special mass matrix diagonalization scheme. The effects of transverse shear modulii of stiff layers, length/thickness and radius/length ratios, time step, finite element mesh, orientation of fibers and degree of orthotropy on the transient response of shells are studied. The variety of results presented here, based on realistic material properties of more commonly used advanced laminated composite shells, should serve as references for future investigations.