Extended multiscale finite element method for small-deflection analysis of thin composite plates with aperiodic microstructure characteristics

Based on the theoretical framework of the extended multiscale finite element method, an efficient multiscale finite element method is developed for small-deflection analysis of thin composite plates with aperiodic microstructure characteristics. First of all, the decoupling displacement boundary conditions for deflections and rotations are reconstructed based on their coupled displacement modes of thin composite plates. Then, the multiscale base functions can be constructed numerically under the boundary conditions through the micro scale computations. Moreover, the coupling effects of composite laminates, especially asymmetric laminates are considered by introducing the additional coupling terms among translations and rotations into the multiscale base functions. Finally, the macroscopic and microscopic response fields are obtained through the macro scale and downscale computation respectively on the basis of multiscale base functions. Numerical examples demonstrate that the developed method possesses high computing accuracy and efficiency compared with the conventional finite element method. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.