Studying the Tensile Behaviour of GLARE Laminates: A Finite Element Modelling Approach

By: Payam Soltani, M. Keikhosravy & R. H. Oskouei & C. Soutis 

 http://www.springerlink.com/content/h831735260162p66/

Abstract:

Numerical simulations based on finite element modelling are increasingly being

developed to accurately evaluate the tensile properties of GLARE (GLAss fibre REinforced

aluminium laminates). In this study, nonlinear tensile behaviour of GLARE Fibre Metal

Laminates (FML) under in-plane loading conditions has been investigated. An appropriate

finite element modelling approach has been developed to predict the stress–strain response

and deformation behaviour of GLARE laminates using the ANSYS finite element package.

The finite element model supports orthotropic material properties for glass/epoxy layer(s)

and isotropic properties with the elastic–plastic behaviour for the aluminium layers. The

adhesion between adjacent layers has been also properly simulated using cohesive zone

modelling. An acceptable agreement was observed between the model predictions and

experimental results available in the literature. The proposed model can be used to analyse

GLARE laminates in structural applications such as mechanically fastened joints under

different mechanical loading conditions. .