Thermo-flexural analysis of thick laminates of bimodulus composite materials

Here, flexural analysis of laminated composite plates of bimodulus materials subjected to thermal load is carried out. The formulation is based on higher-order theory that accounts for the transverse shear and transverse normal deformations, and incorporates through the thickness approximations of the in-plane displacements. The governing equations obtained using the principle of minimum potential energy are solved through the finite element approach. The results obtained here are compared with those of the theory without thickness stretch/contraction terms and the first-order one. The combined influence of higher-order shear deformation, plate geometry, lay-up and ply-angle on the displacements/stresses and neutral surface locations of bimodulus composite laminate is examined. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.