A global–local discontinuous Galerkin shell finite element for small-deformation analysis of multi-layered composites

This paper focuses on the development of a global–local doubly-curved shell element, suitable for small-deformation implicit and/or explicit dynamic analysis of laminated composite structures. The global–local framework is based on the superposition of a global displacement field, spanning the thickness of the entire laminate, and local (layerwise) displacement fields associated with each layer of the laminate. This approach affords highly-resolved representations in regions of critical interest, and allows a smooth transition from higher to lower resolution zones. Continuity between adjacent layers is enforced by means of discontinuous Galerkin fluxes. Parasitic phenomena characteristic of bilinear shell elements, such as shear locking, are alleviated with the aid of assumed natural strain techniques. Performance characteristics of the proposed finite element are examined with the aid of several numerical examples involving static and dynamic analysis of thick as well as thin shells.