Predictor¯corrector procedures for analysis of laminated plates using standard Mindlin finite element models

This paper introduces predictor¯corrector methods for finite element analysis of laminated composite plates. The predictor stress, strain and deflection are directly computed from Mindlin finite element models without using shear correction factors. The corrector transverse shear stress is determined from the homogeneous stress equilibrium condition and the predictor in-plane stress by least-square fit. Shear correction factor for each element is estimated as the ratio of the transverse shear energies computed by the predictor transverse shear strain and the corrector transverse shear stress. The corrector deflection is calculated by incorporating the shear correction factor. First-, second- and third-order Mindlin nine-node plate elements are employed for testing the proposed procedure. Its accuracy is demonstrated by a large number of examples.