A New Partial Finite Element Model for Statics of Sandwich Plates

A new partial discretization formulation with four-noded bi-linear finite elements (FEs) has been developed in this study for flexural analysis of sandwich plates. Partial discretization results in solution of a two-point boundary value problem (BVP) governed by a system of coupled first-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Mixed degrees of freedom, displacements (u, v, w), and transverse stresses (τxz, τyz, σz) are the dependent variables and thus continuity of transverse stresses and displacements are implicitly enforced in the present formulation. Numerical investigations on symmetric and unsymmetric sandwich plates are performed and presented, involving both validation and solution of new problems.