A nonlinear zigzag theory for finite element analysis of highly shear-deformable laminated anisotropic shells

A hitherto unavailable highly accurate nonlinear finite element method (FEM)-based analysis technique for the prediction of large deformation response of highly shear-flexible arbitrarily laminated general shells of arbitrary geometry is presented. The nonlinear finite element utilizes the method of virtual work, and total Lagrangian (TL) formulation. It is based on the assumptions of transverse inextensibility, vanishing transverse normal strain, and layer-wise constant shear-angle theory (LCST), also known as the zigzag theory. The analysis includes fully nonlinear strain–displacement relations for the remaining five strain components. The components of displacements and stresses are computed using variable-node layer-elements of triangular plan-form.