This paper on "Finite Strip Analysis of Composite Laminated Structures" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Summary

Description is given of the use of the finite strip method in the analysis of composite laminated plate and shell structures of arbitrary lamination. The method is described chiefly in the context of first-order shear deformation theory. With subsidiary consideration given to the classical, or thin, theory. Both the semi-analytical and the spline versions of the method are discussed. The problem of predicting the buckling or free vibrational behaviour of complicated prismatic plate structures of finite length is considered in some detail. Brief discussion is then given of the use of the finite strip method in solving other categories of problem, namely the buckling and vibration of shell structures and of "long" structures, the post-buckling and large-deflection behaviour of plate structures, and the dynamic response of plate structures.