A Higher Order Finite Element Model for the Vibration Analysis of Laminated Beams

Abstract

A higher order displacement model based on a cubic axial strain, cubic transverse shear strain and quadratic transverse normal strain across the thickness of the beam, to model exactly the warping of the cross section is proposed which maintains zero stress at the top and bottom of the beam with out the aid of any shear correction factor. Numerical experiments carried out clearly bring out the efficacy of this model over the first order theory for laminated beams.