Higher order refined computational model with 12 degrees of freedom for the stress analysis of antisymmetric angle-ply plates – analytical solutions

Abstract Analytical formulations and solutions for the stress analysis of simply supported antisymmetric angle-ply composite and sandwich plates hitherto not reported in the literature based on a higher order refined computational model with twelve degrees of freedom already reported in the literature are presented. The theoretical model presented herein incorporates laminate deformations which account for the effects of transverse shear deformation, transverse normal strain/stress and a nonlinear variation of in-plane displacements with respect to the thickness coordinate thus modelling the warping of transverse cross sections more accurately and eliminating the need for shear correction coefficients. In addition, two higher order computational models, one with nine and the other with five degrees of freedom already available in the literature are also considered for comparison. The equations of equilibrium are obtained using Principle of Minimum Potential Energy (PMPE). Solutions are obtained in closed form using Navier’s technique by solving the boundary value problem. Accuracy of the theoretical formulations and the solution method is first ascertained by comparing the results with that already available in the literature. After establishing the accuracy of the solutions, numerical results with real properties using all the computational models are presented for the stress analysis of multilayer antisymmetric angle-ply composite and sandwich plates, which will serve as a benchmark for future investigations.