Analysis of Heterogeneous Anisotropic Plates

Abstract

Using the basic assumptions of thin-plate theory, including nonlinear terms in the von Karman sense, the governing equations of a laminated anisotropic plate are formulated. In particular, the type of plate under discussion consists of n layers of orthotropic sheets bonded together. Each layer has arbitrary thickness, elastic properties, and orientation of orthotropic axes with respect to the plate axes. The governing equations are obtained by integrating the equations of nonlinear elasticity. Inertia terms and thermal stresses are included. Closed-form solutions to the linearized equations are obtained for bending, flexural vibration, and buckling of special, but important, classes of laminates for which coupling between bending and stretching is unavoidable.