A shear‐deformable two‐layer plate element with interlayer slip

Abstract

Abstract A new finite element for two‐layer plates with built‐in interlayer slip is developed. The new plate element is based on a new plate theory formulated using a new variational principle due to Reissner. The accuracy of the new element is investigated by applying it to the problem of a two‐layer plate with a linear slip law in cylindrical bending for which an exact elasticity solution exists. The comparison of the inplane response for several different values of interlayer shear stiffness and layer thickness ratios shows that the new element gives accurate results. The cylindrical bending of a two‐layer plate with bilinear interlayer slip law is investigated with the new element and the results obtained are compared with a plane strain analysis. Good agreement is obtained for in‐plane normal stresses and displacements. To further assess the simulation capabilities of the proposed element, a rectangular plate under concentrated load is analysed and the growth of slip failure regions is shown.