Three-dimensional variational analysis of composite structures using bernstein polynomial approximations. Report 1

The paper overviews the previous 3D variational analysis approaches and the numerical results obtained with the use of piecewise polynomial splines. A recently developed 3D displacement-assumed variational analysis approach is also described, where the Bernstein approximation polynomials of arbitrary degree are used as the shape functions for a 3D hexahedral discrete element of a composite body. (Report 2 deals with AS4/3501-6 carbon-epoxy bonded joints.)