A refined hyperbolic shear deformation theory for thermal buckling analysis of cross-ply laminated plates

Analytical solution of refined hyperbolic shear deformation theory is developed to obtain the critical buckling temperature of cross-ply laminated plates with simply supported edge. Derivations of equations are based on novel refined theory using a new hyperbolic shear deformation theory. Unlike other theories, there are only four unknown functions involved, as compared to five in other shear deformation theories. The theory presented is variationally consistent and strongly similar to the classical plate theory in many aspects. It does not require the shear correction factor, and gives rise to the transverse shear stress variation so that the transverse shear stresses vary parabolically across the thickness to satisfy free surface conditions for the shear stress. The validity and high accuracy of the current exact solution are evaluated by comparing the present results with their counterparts reported in literature. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.