Higher order nonlinear models for composite shells and their implementation with the aid of a simple triangular finite element

• Grant number: 09/04356-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2009
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Paulo de Mattos Pimenta
• Grantee: Eduardo Tenório Simões
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project aims the implementation of more elaborated kinematical and statical assumptions in the geometrically exact models, that were developed by the advisor in the last few years. The main purpose is the application of such models in the nonlinear analysis of composite shells. This type of shells requires a better description of the transversal shear strains and stresses. This can be done by the incorporation of higher order deformation modes, that may lead to a better representation of the tangential stresses between the composite layers. Edge effects are also a phenomenon that requires attention during this research. The new higher order models will be extracted from the literature or, if necessary, will be developed with the aid of the advisor. They will be implemented with the aid of the software MATLAB and of the program PEFSYS, which was developed by a Thematic Research Project of FAPESP coordinated by the advisor. In this implementation, the triangular finite element T6-3i, which was developed by the research group "Computational Mechanics" at USP, will be employed.