Variable kinematics models for multilòayered smart plates

Abstract

Families of layer-wise and equivalent single layer advanced finite elements for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of smart multilayered plates are formulated in a unified framework. The proposed modeling strategy reduces the multifield problems to an effective mechanical plate by the condensation of the electromechanical state into the plate kinematics, which is assumed as a variable order expansion along the plate thickness. Numerical results are presented to validate the proposed modeling approach and finite elements and to investigate their features.