Finite element analysis of pin-loaded composite laminates by connecting independently modeled subdomains

A subdomain-based variational formulation for a class of contact problems is carried out to analyze the mechanical behavior of pin-loaded composite laminates. The inequality constraints on contact surfaces are re-stated by using an exterior penalty method. The penalty method is also used for connecting independently modeled subdomains that satisfy interface compatibility conditions. By this method, any complex configuration of the laminate can be easily modeled and divided into finite element subdomains without considering the conformity on interfaces. Moreover, since the matrix singularity never arises at subdomain level, computational efficiency can be maximized with parallel solution algorithms. Using a finite element code based on the present formulation, these advantageous features are confirmed through a series of numerical studies for the pin-loaded composite laminates.