An efficient higher-order plate theory for laminated composites

Abstract An efficient higher-order plate theory for laminated composites is developed. The theory for symmetric laminated composites is obtained by superposing a cubic varying displacement field on a zig-zag linearly varying displacement. The theory has the same number of dependent unknowns as first-order shear deformation theory, and the number of unknowns is independent of the number of layers. The displacement satisfies transverse shear stress continuity conditions at the interface between layers as well as shear free surface conditions. Thus an artificial shear correction factor is not needed. To demonstrate and compare with other theories, the analytical solution for cylindrical bending is obtained. The present theory gives deflections and stresses which compare well with other known theories.

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