Stochastic Free Vibration Response of Soft Core Sandwich Plates Using an Improved Higher-Order Zigzag Theory

Abstract

In this paper, an improved higher-order zigzag theory for vibration of soft core sandwich plates with random material properties is proposed. The theory satisfies the condition of continuity in transverse shear stresses at all the layer interfaces and transverse shear stress free condition at the top and bottom of the plate, including the transverse flexibility effect of the core. The variation of in-plane displacements through thickness is assumed to be cubic while transverse displacement varies quadratically within the core and constant throughout the faces. The core is modeled as a 3D elastic continuum. An efficient