FEM analysis and analytical formulas to predict the indentation response of circular simply supported GLARE plates

This article deals with the static response of thin circular simply supported GLAss REinforced fiber-metal laminates subjected to lateral indentation. The indentation response is initially predicted using ANSYS software and a three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element analysis with geometric and material nonlinearities. From this analysis, the load-indentation and the strain energy-indentation curves are calculated. Regression of the obtained Finite Element Method (FEM) results, that takes into account a specific load-indentation relation, and comparison with previously published analytical formulas concerning the indentation of circular clamped GLAss REinforced plates, yields analytical formulas for the prediction of the GLAss REinforced plate indentation load and strain energy as a function of the central plate deflection. The derived analytical formulas are applied for GLAss REinforced 2-2/1-0.3, GLAss REinforced 3-3/2-0.4, and GLAss REinforced 3-3/2-0.3 circular plates with various diameters subjected to lateral indentation. The analytically predicted load-indentation and strain energy-indentation curves are compared with corresponding FEM results and a very good agreement is found.