Thermal stress analysis of laminated composite plates using exponential shear deformation theory

Abstract

In this paper, thermal stress analysis of cross-ply laminated composite plates using an exponential shear deformation theory is presented. The theory considers the effect of transverse shear deformation and obviates the need of problem-dependent shear correction factor. The in-plane displacements of the theory consist of exponential function in terms of thickness coordinate to include the effect of transverse shear deformation. The theory accounts for a parabolic variation of transverse shear stress through the thickness of the plate. Governing equations and boundary conditions of the theory are derived from the principle of virtual work. The Navier solutions for simply supported laminated composite plate subjected to thermal load varying linearly across the thickness have been developed. Numerical results are presented and compared with three-dimensional elasticity solution available in the literature.