Semi-analytical finite-element study for elastomeric composite solids of revolution

The research presented in this paper is concerned with the development of a linear composite theory and a semianalytical finite-element analysis for horizontally layered reinforced elastomeric bearings of revolution subjected to nonaxisymmetric loads. A multiscale representation is used to model both small and large-scale stress and deformation phenomena. In addition to the usual displacement variables, special field variables are introduced to model edge-effect phenomena. Only continuity of the field variables (but not their derivatives) is required for the resulting finite- element analysis, thus permitting use of simple bilinear four-node isoparametric elements. Several numerical examples are presented and compared to discrete and previously obtained composite analyses. (Author)