Nonlinear finite element damage analysis of laminated shells by Carrera Unified Formulation

• Published in: Composite structures Vol. 348; p. 118494
• Main Authors: Santana, Pedro Bührer, Ferreira, António Joaquim Mendes, Gomes, Herbert Martins, Tita, Volnei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.11.2024
• Subjects: Carrera unified formulation; FEM; Nonlinear analysis of composites; Progressive damage; Nonlinear analysis of composites; Progressive damage; Carrera unified formulation; FEM
• ISSN: 0263-8223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2024.118494

The paper presents a comprehensive study on the nonlinear finite element analysis of laminated shells, employing the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) in conjunction with a progressive damage model developed by Tita et al. (2008). This research focuses on accurately predicting the behavior of laminated composite structures under progressive damage. The model accounts for both polymer matrix and fiber failures, and the numerical implementation and simulations are performed using MATLAB. The study validates the proposed framework by comparing the numerical results with experimental data, demonstrating a good agreement and thus confirming the model’s capability to capture the nonlinear behavior of laminated shells during damage progression. The research also highlights the importance of the CUF in providing a versatile approach to finite element analysis, allowing for different families of elements and, thickness expansions and use of failure criteria that consider out of plane stresses, which can be particularly useful for a more detailed and physically consistent analysis of damage in composite materials. [Display omitted] •Geometric nonlinear finite element framework for the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF).•Numerical results validated with experiments, showing accuracy in damage analysis prediction.•Implementation of MCDG nonlinear solver with progressive macro mechanic damage model.•Progressive failure of ply laminates predicted by the nonlinear analysis and a phenomenological failure criteria.•Out of plane shear stresses obtained with CUF formulation allows more precise prediction of failure mode for both polymer matrix and fiber.