INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, VOL.

8, 215-225 (1974)

FINITE ELEMENT BENDING ANALYSIS OF

MULTILAYER PLATES

A. S. MAWENYA
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

AND

J . D. DAVIES
Department of Civil Engineering, University College of Swansea, Wales

SUMMARY
The development of a general quadratic multilayer plate element is presented for the analysis of arbitrarily
layered curved plates. In the formulation, each layer of the multilayer plate can have different orthotropic
properties and can deform locally. Examples of bending problems are presented which demonstrate the
applicability of the formulation.

INTRODUCTION
Multilayer construction has become more and more important in structural engineering as a
means of achieving a beneficial combination of the properties of two or more materials.' In
general, two classifications of such structures can be identified, namely, multilayer sandwiches
and composite laminates.
Finite element solutions of multilayer sandwich plates have been presented by Khatua and
C h e ~ n g , using
~ . ~ non-conforming rectangular and triangular plate bending elements. Their
formulation considers the ideal type of sandwich construction in which the core layers contribute
only to the shear rigidity of the plate. A finite element formulation based on the non-conforming
rectangular plate bending element, modified to include transverse shear deformations, has also
been published for the analysis of laminated plates.6 The formulation assumes a uniform shear
strain-angle through the thickness of the plate and neglects local such as the state of
stress and deformation at the layer interfaces, which may be important in situations where the
stiffness properties vary drastically from layer to layer.
In this paper a general formulation for a quadratic, isoparametric, multilayer plate element is
developed which permits the layers to deform locally and imposes no restriction upon the relative
properties of the constituent layers of the plate. The formulation incorporates the effects of trans-
verse shear deformation in each layer and is applicable to any arbitrarily layered curved plate.

DEFINITION OF DEFORMATION
Figure 1 represents the cross-section of a layered plate in which the reference xy-plane is defined
as the plane z = 0. The deformation of the plate is described by the in-plane displacements uo
and uo ,of the reference plane, the transverse displacement w, which is taken as constant through

Received 10 September I973

0 1974 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

215
216 A. S . MAWENYA AND J. D. DAVIES

the thickness, and two normal rotations Oxi and OYi, of each constituent layer of the plate. The
normal rotations, though assumed uniform for any one particular layer, vary from layer to

hi l i t

Figure I . Assumed deformation of multilayer plate

layer, and are independent of the lateral displacement. The actual displacement vector {f} at
any point (x, y, z) in the ith layer is given by

where

The suffix i denotes that the ith layer is being considered for which the in-plane displacements
of its middle plane are uoi and uoi, and the rotations of its normal are Oxi and Oyi in the x and
y directions respectively. The local plane defined by zi = 0 represents, therefore, the middle
plane of the ith layer.
 MULTILAYER PLATES 217

By considering continuity of the in-plane displacements at the interfaces of the layers the
following relationships are obtained

Eight strain components are now defined for each layer which can be derived from the dis-
placement components and their derivatives. They comprise the membrane strains

Emxi =
auoi
~

ax

auoi auoi
ymyi = -+-
ay ax
the bending strains

aexi aeyi
-+-
&bx,i = -zi
( aY ax)
and the transverse shearing strains

NODAL PARAMETERS AND DISPLACEMENT FUNCTIONS

Figure 2 shows the quadratic multilayer plate element considered in this paper, with nodes
numbered in a clockwise sense. The displacement components of a typical node j consist of the
in-plane displacements uoj and uoj of the reference xy-plane, the lateral displacement w j , and the
normal rotations Oxij and Oyij in each layer. These may be listed by the vector
{Sj) = {uoj, v o j , wj. kj,e y l j r OxZj, O y Z j , . . * 7 exrnj, o y m j j T (5)
and the element displacements by the vector
(6) = { 4 , 8 2 , . . * , 8 * } T (6)
where rn is the total number of layers in the plate.
218 A. S. MAWENYA AND J. D . DAVIES

Figure 2. Quadratic multilayer plate element: (a) Parent shape; (b) Distorted shape

A shape function description is then adopted to define the displacements of any point (x, y, z)
in the ith layer in terms of the nodal displacements as follows

j= 1 p= 2
c
i- 1
tpeX,-~+ti+Z,~exij

8 C i- 1 -l

= 1 N~ U o j - q t , e , , j -
j= 1
8
i -1tpe,,pj-(+ti+z,~e,ij
p=2
-
;. (7)

w= 1 Njwj
j= 1

where N j are simple isoparametric shape functions given in terms of the normalized co-ordinates
( and q by the following equations. At the corner nodes

and at the midside nodes

with

to = 55j and YIO = VYIj (84

The same shape functions are used to define the co-ordinates on the reference xy-plane of the
plate and the corresponding thickness of the various layers in terms of their nodal values. Thus
8
x = 1 Nixj
j= 1
A

8
ti = 1 Nittj
j= 1
(i = 1,2,. . . ,m)

This definition enables mapping of curved plane shapes and any arbitrary geometry can be
closely approximated.
 MULTILAYER PLATES 219

CONSTITUTIVE RELATIONSHIPS
For orthotropic materials the membrane, bending and shear stress resultants in the ith layer are
given by9

Nxi Bxi B l i 0 0 0 0 0

Nyi Byi 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 auoi auoi
-+-
Nxyi Bxyi
ay ax
aexi
--
M x i 'xi D1i 0 0
ax

Myi Dyi 0 0

symmetric
aexi ae .
Mxyi Dxyi 0 -(.Y+$)
aw
Qxi -- ex,
ax
aw
-- eyi
Qyi
aY
or

The matrix Pi]defines the strain matrix of the ith layer of the element and its component sub-
matrices [Bij] are given in Appendix 11.
The matrix [Di] denotes the elasticity matrix of the ith layer. Its coefficients comprise the in-
plane rigidities
(Bxi 7 B y i 9 B1i 9 BxyJ = (Eki > E;i 7 vxiE;i 3 Gxyi)ti (1la)
the bending and twisting rigidities

and the transverse shear rigidities

where
220 A . S. MAWENYA A N D J. D . DAVIES

STIFFNESS MATRIX
Following the standard procedure,' the stiffness matrix [k] relating the element nodal forces and
the corresponding nodal displacements is given by

[k1= f 1[B~ITP~I
i= 1
~ i dxl dy

where a typical submatrix of [k] linking nodes j and k is

Lkjk1 = 1
m

i= 1
1
[BijlTIDiILBikl dx dy

The integration is carried out numerically using the Gaussian quadrature.

Following the recommendations of References 8 and 9, it is necessary to use a 2 x 2 Gaussian
integration grid for evaluating the stiffness matrix so that the spurious shear effects inherent in
this type of formulation are suppressed.

NUMERICAL EXAMPLES
The multilayer plate element is first used to analyse the three-layer and five-layer, uniformly
loaded, square, simply supported sandwich plates originally solved by Khatua and Cheung4*'
using rectangular and triangular multilayer sandwich plate elements. The geometrical and
material properties of the plates are given in Tables I and 11. Because of double symmetry only
one-quarter of each plate is used in the analysis for both the isotropic and orthotropic cases. The
central deflection and bending moments are listed in Tables I and I1 where they are compared
with series solutions'O-'z and with the finite element ~ o l u t i o n . ~

Table I. Three-layer simply supported sandwich plate under uniform loading

Central deflection Maximum central bending

(in) moments
Mesh (lb-in/in)
Isotropic Orthotropic Isotropic Orthotropic

1 x 1 0-000708 0.00186 6-189 8-491

2 x 2 0~000740 0.00122 4.95 1 7.823
3 x 3 0.000740 0.00122 4.846 7.604
Reference 4
(8 x 8 mesh) 0.000736 0.00121 4.779 7443
Series solution 0~00074010 0.0012312 4.790" -

Notes
(a) Plate dimensions
Length of side a = 10 in
Thickness of face layers t , = t , = 0.028 in
Thickness of core layers t , = 0.75 in
(b) Material properties
Isotropic case E , = E , = lo7 Ib/in2; v , = v, = 0.3; G , = 3 x lo4 Ib/in2
Orthotropic case E,, = E,, = lo7 Ib/in2; E,, = E,, = 4 x lo6 Ib/in2; G,,, = Gx,o = 1.875 x lo6 Ib/in2;
v,, = vXj = 0.3; vyl = vYj = 0.12; Gxr2= 3 x lo4 Ib/in2; G,, = 1.2 x lo4 Ib/in2
(c) Loading
q = 1 Ib/in2
 MULTILAYER PLATES 22 1

Table 11. Five-layer simply supported square sandwich plate under uniform loading

Central deflection Maximum central bending

(in) moment
Mesh (lb-in/in)
Isotropic Orthotropic Isotropic Orthotropic

1 x 1 0~000766 0.00 124 6.177 8.303

2 x 2 OJXKK302 OQO134 4.95 1 7.746
3 x 3 0~000802 0@0134 4.846 7532
Reference
(8 x 8mesh) 0.000797 0.00133 4.174 7.401
Series solution 0000801 ' 0.00 133 ' 4.790' ' -

Notes
(a) Plate dimensions
Length of side a = 10 in
Thickness of face layers t , = t, = t5 = 0.02 in
Thickness of core layers t, = t, = 0.4 in
(b) Material properties
Isotropic E , = E , = E , = lo7 Ib/in2; v, = v 3 = v 5 = 0.3; G, = G, = 3 x lo4 Ib/in2
Orthotropic case E x , = Er3= E x , = lo7 Ib/inz; E,, = Ey3 = E,, = 4 x lo6 Ib/in2 ; Ex,, = Ex,, = Ergs=
1.875 x lo6 Ib/in2; v,, = vx3 = vx5 = 0.3; v,, = v y 3 = vy5 = 0.12; Gxr2= Gxx4= 3 x lo4 Ib/in2; G,,, =
G,,, = 1.2 x lo4 Ib/in2
(c) Loading
q = 1 Ib/in2

Figure 3. Cross-sectional dimensions of bidirectional composite laminates : (a) Five-layer square laminate ; (b) Three-
layer rectangular laminate

The multilayer plate element is now used to analyse simply supported five-layer, square, and
three-layer rectangular, bidirectional composites having cross-sectional dimensions as shown in
Figure 3. The loading on the plates is sinusoidal and is given by2.3
. nx ny
q = qo sin -sin (14)
a
where qo is a constant. Each layer is a unidirectional fibre-reinforced composite possessing the
222 A . S. MAWENYA A N D J. D . DAVIES

Table 111. Five-layer simply supported square laminate under sinusoidal loading

Thickness Maximum stresses

ratio Central
a Source deflection ax at 7XP at
s=-
h a
x=y=- x=y=o
2
h h
z = +-
-2
z= +-
-2

20 FEM 1.232 0.548 0.0229

ES 1.145 0.539 0.0222
50 FEM 1.041 0.550 0.0220
ES 1.023 0.539 0.02 14
100 FEM 1.013 0.55 1 0.02 18
ES 1.006 0.539 0.02 13
Classical thin
plate theoryI3 1-0oo 0.539 0.02 13
12qohs4
Multiplier
n4Q

Table IV. Three-layer simply supported rectangular laminate under sinusoidal loading

Thickness Maximum stresses

ratio Central
Source deflection ax at ‘5x1 at
a
s=- u h
h x’--’y=z x = y = o

h h
z= +-
-2
z = +-
-2

20 FEM 0.664 0.65 1 OW99

ES 0.610 0.650 OW93
50 FEM 0.529 0.640 0-0087
ES 0.520 0-628 0.0084
100 FEM 0.510 0.638 0.0085
ES 0.508 0.624 0.0083
Classical thin
plate theoryl3 0.503 0.623 0.0083

Multiplier & 4os2

100E,

Note
ES = Elasticity solution’
 MULTILAYER PLATES 223

following elastic constants

EL = 25 x lo6 lb/in2, E , = lo6 Ib/in2, G,, = 0.5 x lo6 Ib/in2

(15)
G,, = 0.2 x lo6 Ib/in2, vLT = v,,= 0.25, vTL = 0-01

where L signifies the fibre direction and T the transverse direction. Because of symmetry only
one-quarter of each plate is analysed by a 3 x 3 finite element mesh. The span-to-depth ratio
s = a/h is varied in both cases, and results of the central deflection and maximum bending and
twisting stresses are listed in Tables 111 and IV. It can be seen that the finite element results are in
good agreement with those predicted by the elasticity solution^^.^ in spite of the fact that the
two sets of solutions are derived from theories based on slightly different assumptions.
In order to demonstrate the ability of the multilayer plate element to handle arbitrarily curved
boundaries, a clamped, three-layer, circular sandwich plate under a uniform loading of 1.0 Ib/in2
was analysed, using the mesh shown in Figure 4. The plate had a radius of 1.0 in and an overall

"t

I- 1.0
4
Figure 4. Mesh used in the analysis of a circular plate

depth of 0.0204 in. It was constructed from two isotropic face layers of thicknesses t , = t , =
0.0002 in enclosing a core of thickness t , = 0.02 in. Young's modulus of the faces was taken as
22.3 x lo6 Ib/in2 and the shear modulus of the core as 4,901.5 Ib/in2. Poisson's ratio was taken as
0.3. The central deflection and bending moment obtained are 0.0180 in and 0.08125 in-lb/in
respectively, as compared to the values of 0.0181 in and 0-08125in-lb/in given by Plantema.''
The edge moments in the radial and tangential directions are 0.125 in-lb/in and 0.0374 in-lb/in
respectively, which compare favourably with the analytical values' of 0.125 in-lb/in and
0.0375 in-lb/in.

CONCLUSIONS
A finite element analysis of multilayer plates has been presented. The formulation incorporates
the effects of transverse shear deformations in each layer of the plate and offers demonstrated
advantages in simulating curved boundaries. The accuracy and versatility of the quadratic
multilayer plate element developed has been demonstrated by examples.
224 A. S. MAWENYA AND J. D. DAVIES

APPENDIX I

Nomenclature
x, y, z = Rectangular co-ordinates
u, u, w = Components of displacements parallel to x, y and z directions respectively
5, q = Local natural dimensionless co-ordinates
a, b = Length and width of rectangular plate
E x , E, = Principal moduli of elasticity of orthotropic material
G,, = In-plane shear modulus
G,,, G,, = Transverse shear moduli in the xz- and yz-planes respectively
v,, v, = Poisson's ratios of orthotropic material
K = Shear coefficient (taken as 5/6)
8,, 8, = Rotations of plate cross-section in the xz- and yz-planes respectively
M,,M y , M,, = Bending and twisting moments
N,. N , , N,, = In-plane normal and shearing forces
Q,, Q, = Transverse shearing forces
q = Distributed transverse loading
(6) = Displacement vector
{M) = Stress resultants vector
[B] = Strain matrix
[D] = Property matrix
[k] = Stiffness matrix

APPENDIX I1

Strain matrix for the i-th layer

[BJ = [Bi, Biz . Bisl
9 9 . . ?

where
[B,,] = [Bt, B!j, BfjIT
with
-.
I
+
(2m 3) I _____-
aNj I I aNj ...
- 0 I 0 I 0
ax I I
I I

I
aNj aNj alv, aNj ...
- -
ay ax
0 1
l
-4t1-
aY
-4t1,,
I I
 MULTILAYER PLATES 225
____ t
I 1
I
aNj 1 aN.
--t,----?
... -ti-1- 0
ax 2 I ax I
I

__- 2i ’12(m- i)I+

-I
I
+
(2m 3) 71- -
I

0 ; 0
I I
I
[Bbj] = 0
I I
I aNj aNj I
0

REFERENCES
1 . L. M. Habip, ‘A review of recent work on multilayered structures’, Inr. J. Mech. Sci. 7 , 389-593 (1965).
2. N. J . Pagano, ‘Exact solutions for rectangular bidirectional composites and sandwich plates’, J. Composite Malls, 4,
20-24 ( 1970).
3. N. J. Pagano and S. J. Hatfield, ‘Elastic behaviour of multilayered bidirectional composites’, AIAA Jnl, 10,931-933
(1972).
4. T. P. Khatua and Y. K. Cheung, ‘Bending and vibration of multilayer sandwich beams and plates’, Int. J. num.
Meth. Engng, 6, 11-24 (1973).
5. T. P. Khatua and Y. K. Cheung, ‘Triangular element for multilayer sandwich plates’, J . Engng Mech. Diu. ASCE, 98,
1225-1238 (1972).
6. C. W. Pryor, Jr., ‘A finite element analysis including transverse shear effects for application to laminated plates’,
AIAA Jnl, 9,912-917 (1971).
7. 0. C. Zienkiewicz, The Finite Element Method in Engineering Science, 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, London, 1971.
8. 0.C. Zienkiewicz, R. L. Taylor and J. M. Too, ‘Reduced integration technique in general analysis of plates and
shells’, Int. J . num. Meth. Engng, 3, 275-290 (1971).
9. A. S. Mawenya, ‘Finite element analysis of sandwich plate structures’, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Wales, Swansea
(1973).
10. F. J. Plantema, Sandwich Construction: The Bending and Buckling of Sandwich Beams, Plates and Shells, Wiley,
New York, 1966.
11. B. D. Liaw and R. W. Little, ‘Theory of bending of multilayer sandwich plates’, AIAA Jnl, 5,301-304 (1967).
12. J. J. Azar, ‘Bending theory of multilayer orthotropic sandwich plates’, AIAA Jnl, 6, 2166-2169 (1968).
13. L. R. Calcote, The Analysis of Laminated Composite Structures, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1969.