A Hybridized Mixed Approach for Efficient Stress Prediction in a Layerwise Plate Model

Building upon recent works devoted to the development of a stress-based layerwise model for multilayered plates, we explore an alternative finite-element discretization conventional displacement-based method. We rely on mixed approach where both stresses and displacements are interpolated. Since conforming finite-elements ensuring traction continuity difficult construct, consider hybridization strategy in which is relaxed by introduction additional displacement-like Lagrange multiplier defined element facets. Such offers advantage uncoupling many degrees freedom so that static condensation can be performed at level, yielding much smaller final system solve. Illustrative applications demonstrate proposed free from any shear-locking thin plate limit more accurate than displacement same number freedom. As result, this method used capture efficiently strong intra- inter-laminar stress variations near free-edges or cracks.