Stress and failure analysis of laminated composites based on layerwise B-spline finite strip method

A layerwise Bk,k−1-spline finite strip method is developed for stress and failure analysis in fibre reinforced composite laminates. The composite laminates are divided into a number of numerical layers in the thickness direction. A linear variation of in-plane displacements are assumed across the thickness of each numerical layer to represent the sectional warping which can have significant effects on through thickness shear stresses. The development of Bk,k−1-spline finite strip method is presented. Material failure criteria and material degradation models for progressive failure are discussed and integrated in a progressive failure analysis for composite laminates. Numerical applications include a progressive failure analysis example are presented to verify the layerwise B-spline finite strip method developed for stress and failure analysis in composite laminates. Whenever possible the present predictions are compared with the existing analytical and numerical results.