Development of a Single-Layer Laminated Plate Finite-Element Model Based on Walsh Series

Walsh series are used to develop a finite-element model based on first-order shear deformation theory that enables accurate prediction of static and dynamic response of laminated composite plates. The model is based on a single-layer quadrilateral plate element with mixed formulation, which can be applied to any arbitrary layup. The model has as degrees of freedom stress resultants and generalized displacements. The accuracy and efficiency of the model developed is discussed with four illustrative cases, for static and natural frequencies results, which are compared with alternative solutions.