Three-Dimensional Bending Analysis of Multi-Layered Orthotropic Plates by Two-Dimensional Numerical Model

Area of Science:

• Computational Mechanics
• Materials Science
• Structural Engineering

Background:

• Accurate numerical modeling of multi-layered plates with orthotropic properties is crucial for advanced engineering applications.
• Existing methods may lack flexibility in defining complex layered structures or require computationally intensive 3D meshes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and validate an effective numerical modeling method, FEM23, for multi-layered plates with orthotropic properties.
• To demonstrate the flexibility of FEM23 in independently defining layer thickness and orthotropic mechanical properties.
• To showcase the applicability of FEM23 for various advanced analyses beyond basic structural response.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Finite Element Method 23 (FEM23) for numerical modeling.
• Developed a 3D analysis approach using a 2D finite element mesh.
• Employed an assembling procedure to construct the numerical model by integrating individual orthotropic layers.

Main Results:

• The FEM23 method successfully models multi-layered plates with independent control over layer thickness and orthotropic properties.
• Numerical results from FEM23 analyses of three- and nine-layered plates show excellent agreement with published data and standard 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) approaches.
• The orthotropic FEM23 demonstrated high flexibility and accuracy for complex layered structures.

Conclusions:

• FEM23 provides an effective and flexible numerical modeling solution for multi-layered orthotropic plates.
• The method's accuracy is validated against established computational approaches.
• The orthotropic FEM23 is readily adaptable for advanced analyses such as thermo-mechanics, vibrations, buckling, and delamination studies.