Coupled finite element and cellular automata methods for analysis of composite structures with fluid–structure interaction

Abstract This study examines multiple computational techniques to analyze dynamic responses of composite structures subject to Fluid–Structure Interaction (FSI). A plate bending finite element with displacement degrees of freedom only is developed and implemented using a Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) formulation. Because the plate elements can be stacked on top of one another like 3-D solid elements, delamination or debonding between any two layers can be modeled easily. Multiple approaches to analyzing such failure are presented and evaluated. A hybrid Finite Element–Cellular Automata (FE–CA) approach is also presented to model a fluid domain as an acoustic field using the wave equation. The coupled technique can take advantage of both methods such as computational efficiency, non-reflecting boundary representation and easy coupling with a structure with a complex shape. The FE–CA fluid model is then combined with the DG structural model to simulate fluid–structure interaction. All the computational techniques are assessed for their accuracy by comparing with analytical, experimental and other numerical solutions. Each technique addressed shows promise for flexible and accurate modeling of dynamic behaviors of damaged or undamaged laminated composite structures subject to fluid–structure interaction with moderate computational costs.