Higher-order zig-zag theory for laminated composites with multiple delaminations

A higher-order zig-zag theory has been developed for laminated composite plates with multiple delaminations. By imposing top and bottom surface transverse shear stress-free conditions and interface continuity conditions of transverse shear stresses including delaminated interfaces, the displacement field with minimal degree-of-freedoms are obtained. This displacement field can systematically handle the number shape, size, and locations of delaminations. Through the dynamic version of variational approach, the dynamic equilibrium equations and variationally consistent boundary conditions are obtained. The delaminated beam finite element is implemented to evaluate the performance of the newly developed theory. Linear buckling and natural frequency analysis demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present theory. The present higher-order zig-zag theory should work as an efficient tool to analyze the static and dynamic behavior of the composite plates with multiple delaminations.