Nonlinear displacement-based finite-element analyses of composite shells -- a new total Lagrangian formulation (Q675619)

Presented is a new total Lagrangian finite-element formulation for general laminated composite shells undergoing large-displacement, large-rotation, and large-strain motion. The theory fully accounts for geometric nonlinearities (large rotations), large in-plane strains, general initial curvatures, transverse shear deformations, and interlaminar normal stresses by using Jaumann stress and strain measures, an exact coordinate transformation, and a new concept of orthogonal virtual rotations. Based on the derived shell theory, we develop a fully nonlinear displacement-based finite-element formulation.