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Sandwich structures with a soft core typically exhibit multiple deformation modes such as bending, twisting and compression when subjected to transverse loads. Compressive behavior of soft core significantly affects the structural response, which is usually neglected in conventional plate theories. Additionally, conventional plate theories do not take into account transverse shear stress continuity. In order to address this concern and precisely characterize the characteristics of arbitrary multilayer laminated structures, a novel electromechanical coupled finite element model is developed. This model is based on a compressible layerwise third-order shear deformation theory with a soft core. Notably, the proposed model theory requires only twelve degrees of freedom for each quadratic element node. The accuracy of the model is validated first. Afterwards, several numerical investigations are carried out for piezolaminated sandwich structures with different width-to-thickness ratios, reinforcement angle and skew angle. The results demonstrate the applicability of the current model in predicting the behavior of laminated sandwich plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A finite element formulation using zig-zag hypothesis is developed for sandwich smart structures with partially smart constrained layer damping (SCLD) treatment. In order to achieve higher accuracy, both of the viscoelastic and elastic layers of the sandwich structures are based on the Reissner–Mindlin theory. An eight-node quadrilateral element with seven mechanical degrees of freedom (DOFs) is considered for the finite element (FE) analysis. Using Hamilton's principle, a piezoelectric coupled dynamic FE model is obtained. This FE model is validated by frequency and loss factor analysis of an elastic–viscoelastic–elastic plate. Furthermore, the effects of various parameters on the damping characteristics of the cantilever sandwich smart structures are carried out, e.g. coverage percentage and position of SCLD, thickness of the viscoelastic or piezoelectric layer, curvature of structures, and shear modulus and loss factor of the viscoelastic layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding to viscoelastic laminated piezo smart plates and shells, electro-mechanically coupled finite element (FE) formations are derived based on zig-zag hypothesis for vibration and damping analyses. Three lamination configurations are considered in the model, where both elastic layers and viscoelastic layers are assumed to be Reissner–Mindlin plate. The quadratic element is adopted for FE modeling, each node has seven mechanical degrees of freedom (DOFs), which considers the complex shear modulus of viscoelastic materials. The analytical model is first validated by FE simulation of viscoelastic sandwich plates. Later, the effects of various parameters on the damping performance of piezo-viscoelastic laminated cylindrical structures are carried out, e.g. boundary conditions, reinforcement orientation angle, thickness of the viscoelastic core and structural curvature. The present FE modeling and analyses provide a powerful tool to accurately investigate the behaviors of viscoelastic laminated structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper develops a geometrically nonlinear finite element model with large rotation based on the first-order shear deformation (FOSD) hypothesis for static and dynamic analyses of piezoelectric integrated carbon nanotube reinforced functionally graded (P-CNT-FG) composite structures. A constant electric field distribution through the thickness of plate is considered. An eight-node quadrilateral plate element with five mechanical degrees of freedom (DOFs) and one electric degree of freedom is developed for finite element analysis. Four typical forms of CNT distributions are included in the model, namely uniform, V-shaped, O-shaped, and X-shaped distributions. The nonlinear model considers fully geometrically nonlinear strain-displacement relations and large rotations of the shell direction of plate. Using the Hamilton's principle, a nonlinear dynamic model including dynamic and sensory equations is obtained. The proposed nonlinear model is validated by a frequency analysis of a simply supported P-CNT-FG composite plate. Furthermore, the effects of various parameters on the static and dynamic behavior are investigated, e.g. CNT-reinforcement orientation, CNT distribution, the number of laminate layers and volume fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]