Polyconvex energy densities with applications to anisotropic thin shells

Abstract

Abstract This work shows the capability to simulate anisotropic thin shells using polyconvex energy densities by analyzing numerical examples. The variational framework is based on the enhanced assumed strain formulation. The iterative enforcement of the zero normal stress condition at the integration points allows consideration of arbitrary three–dimensional constitutive equations. We consider an additive structure of the energy decoupled in an isotropic part for a matrix material and the superposition of transversely isotropic parts for embedded fiber families and focus on polyconvex strain energy functions. In two representative examples we document anisotropy effects. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)