Non-polynomial Zig-Zag and ESL shear deformation theory to study advanced composites

The mechanical behavior of advanced composites can be modeled mathematically through unknown variables and Shear Strain Thickness Functions(SSTFs). Such SSTFs can be of polynomial or non-polynomial nature and some parameters of non-polynomial SSTFs can be optimized to get optimal results. In this paper, these parameters are called ‘‘r" and ‘‘s" and they are the argument of the trigonometric SSTFs introduced within the Carrera Unified Formulation(CUF). The Equivalent Single Layer(ESL) governing equations are obtained by employing the Principle of Virtual Displacement(PVD) and are solved using Navier method solution. Furthermore, trigonometric expansion with Murakami theory was implemented in order to reproduce the Zig-Zag effects which are important for multilayer structures. Several combinations of optimization parameters are evaluated and selected by different criteria of average error. Results of the present unified trigonometrical theory with CUF bases confirm that it is possible to improve the stress and displacement results through the thickness distribution of models with reduced unknown variables. Since the idea is to find a theory with reduced numbers of unknowns, the present method appears to be an appropriate technique to select a simple model. However these optimization parameters depend on the plate geometry and the order of expansion or unknown variables. So, the topic deserves further research.

Vibrational behavior of isotropic plate structures in contact with a bounded fluid via unified formulation

This paper presents an analytical solution for free vibration analysis of thick rectangular isotropic plates coupled with a bounded fluid for various boundary conditions. In order to consider displacement theories of an arbitrary order, the Carrera Unified Formulation(CUF) is used. The eigenvalue problem is obtained by using the energy functional, considering plate and fluid kinetic energies as well as the potential energy of the plate. The Ritz method is used to evaluate the displacement variables, and the functions used in the Ritz series can be adjusted to consider any of the classical boundary conditions. The convergence of the solution is analyzed, and a validation of results considering open literature and 3D finite element software is performed. Parametric studies are carried out to obtain natural frequencies as a function of the side-to-thickness ratio, plate aspect ratio, fluid domain size, plate boundary conditions, and fluid-solid density ratio. Pressure and velocity in the fluid domain are evaluated in order to establish the consistency of the solution.Accurate results for thick plates are obtained with a much lower computational cost compared to that of 3D finite element solutions.

Boundary discontinuous Fourier analysis of thick beams with clamped and simply supported edges via CUF

This paper presents an analytical solution for static analysis of thick rectangular beams with different boundary conditions. Carrera＇s Unified Formulation（CUF） is used in order to consider shear deformation theories of arbitrary order. The novelty of the present work is that a boundary discontinuous Fourier approach is used to consider clamped boundary conditions in the analytical solution, unlike Navier-type solutions which are restricted to simply supported beams.Governing equations are obtained by employing the principle of virtual work. The numerical accuracy of results is ascertained by studying the convergence of the solution and comparing the results to those of a 3D finite element solution. Beams subjected to bending due to a uniform pressure load and subjected to torsion due to opposite linear forces are considered. Overall, accurate results close to those of 3D finite element solutions are obtained, which can be used to validate finite element results or other approximate methods.