ADVANCED TAILORED KINEMATIC MODELS FOR MULTI-FIELD ANALYSIS OF LAMINATED STRUCTURES

This paper presents a novel methodology for constructing beam theories with fully customizable kinematic fields specifically designed for multi-layered composite piezoelectric structures. This work extends the most recent Carrera Unified Formulation implementations for multi-field analyses of piezoelectric structures, optimizing computational resources while maintaining accuracy. The proposed method applies Layer-Wise expansions where necessary, such as for the electric field, while employing Equivalent Single Layer formulations for fields that do not require piece-wise accuracy, like in-plane displacements. This tailored kinematic approach balances computational cost and accuracy, ensuring a more efficient yet precise structural analysis. This strategy is particularly effective for complex laminated structures, where different physical fields require varying levels of detail. Numerical analyses confirm the effectiveness of the approach, demonstrating its ability to provide accurate and efficient multi-field simulations. By selecting appropriate kinematic formulations for each field, the proposed method achieves high-fidelity modeling while significantly reducing computational costs.