Multi-line enhanced beam model for the analysis of laminated composite structures

A novel approach to the analysis of composite structure is introduced in this paper. One-dimensional (1D) refined finite elements are formulated by making use of the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). CUF is a higher-order 1D formulation which was recently introduced by the first author. By exploiting the hierarchical characteristics of CUF, a multi-line approach is developed straightforwardly and used for the analysis of multilayered structures. In the multi-line approach, each layer is modeled by one beam-line discretization. Refined beam elements with different orders of expansion over the cross-sectional plane are then employed along different beam-lines. The compatibility of displacements at the boundary interfaces between beam-lines is ensured by using Lagrange multipliers. The accuracy of the proposed method is verified both through published literature and through finite element solutions using the commercial code MSC/Nastran.