A refined two-dimensional theory of anisotropic plates

Abstract

Based on the representation of the displacement field proper to the first-order transverse shear deformation theory, and using Reissner’s mixed variational principle modified as to include thermoelastic effects, an equivalent single-layer model of composite laminated plates is presented including the geometric non-linearity. In contrast to the usual approach of such models, the present model has the advantage of eliminating the need of the inclusion of a shear correction factor. Moreover, this model predicts continuous stress distributions through the laminate thickness. The equations of motion, the constitutive equations and the required boundary conditions are obtained. Based on the obtained equations, linear and non-linear numerical results on the static state of stresses and displacements of cross-ply symmetric and antisymmetric laminated plates are supplied. To assess the present model, some of the obtained linear results are compared with their counterparts in the literature. The effect of the geometric non-linearity on the thermal response of the laminate is investigated.