Boundary discontinuous Fourier analysis of thick cross-ply clamped plates

Abstract

A new analytical solution to the problem of deformation of a finite-dimensional general cross-ply thick rectangular plate , modeled using a higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT), is presented. A solution methodology, based on a boundary-discontinuous generalized double Fourier series approach, is used to solve a system of five highly coupled linear partial differential equations , generated by the HSDT-based laminated plate analysis, with the C3-type clamped boundary condition prescribed at all four edges. The numerical accuracy of the solution is ascertained by studying the convergence characteristics of deflections and moments of a cross-ply plate. The primary focus of the present study is to investigate the effect of end clamping on the response of a thick laminated plate, while keeping the in-plane end constraints unaltered. Important numerical results presented include sensitivity of the predicted response quantities of interest to lamination , material property, thickness effects and end clamping as well as their interactions.