A generalized global-local high-order theory for bending and vibration analyses of sandwich plates subjected to thermo-mechanical loads

Although the global higher-order shear deformation theories may predict the gross responses of the sandwich plates sufficiently accurate, their results may show considerable errors in predicting the local effects. Layerwise and mixed layerwise theories are computationally expensive and generally, the interlaminar transverse stresses continuity conditions are not enforced in the former category of theories. Majority of the available zigzag and global-local theories suffer from the point that the transverse normal stress continuity that influences the transverse deformation significantly, especially in sandwich plates with soft-cores, is not satisfied at the layer interfaces. In the present paper, a generalized global-local theory that guarantees the continuity condition of all of the displacement and transverse stress components and considers the transverse flexibility under thermo-mechanical loads is introduced. One of the advantages of the present theory is that the number of unknown parameters is independent of the number of the layers. Furthermore. all stress components are considered in the formulations. Therefore, in contrast to the available works, the theory may be used for sandwich plates with stiff or soft cores. In contrast to the available global-local formulations, the present formulation is developed in a compact matrix form that makes it more desirable for computerized solutions. The present theory may be considered as a generalized layerwise theory with an optimized computational time. Compatible quadrilateral Hermitian elements are employed to further enhance the accuracy of the results. Validity, advantages, and efficiency of the present theory are investigated for different local and global behaviors of the layered composite and sandwich plates. Comparison of the present results with those of the three-dimensional theory of elasticity and the available plate theories confirms the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed theory. Results reveal that the global theories (e.g. the higher-order shear deformation theories) may encounter serious accuracy problems even in predicting the gross responses of the sandwich plates. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.