A solid-shell layerwise finite element for non-linear geometric and material analysis

The application of layerwise theories to correctly model the displacement field of sandwich structures or laminates with high modulus ratios usually employs plate or facet-shell finite element formulations to compute the element stiffness and mass matrices for each layer. In this work an alternative approach is proposed, using a high performance hexahedral finite element to represent the individual layer mass and stiffness. This eight-node hexahedral finite element is formulated based on the application of the enhanced assumed strain method (EAS) to solve several locking pathologies coming from the high aspect ratio of the finite element and the usual incompressibility condition of the core materials. The solid-shell finite element formulation is introduced in the layerwise theory through the definition of a projection operator, based on the finite element variables transformation matrix. The non-linear geometric and material capabilities are introduced into the finite element formulation, allowing for the representation of large displacements, large deformation and material non-linear behaviors. The developed formulation is numerically tested and benchmarked, being validated by using published experimental results obtained from sandwich specimens.