A Mixed Finite Element Method for Layered Composite Plates

A mixed finite element formulation, obtained from thick plate theory, is applied to layered composite plates. These elements include the shear deformation of a plate so as to solve layered composite plate problems more accurately. The mixed isoparametric element family has four degrees of freedom per node; three moments and a transverse deflection. Examples will show that the elements are easy to implement and are quite accurate.