Static stability of laminated composite circular plates with holes using shear deformation theory

The behavior of buckling of laminated composite circular plates having circular holes and subjected to uniform radial load is investigated by using the finite element method. A finite element analysis program was developed to analyze static stability. Eight node isoparametric shell elements with 24 degrees of freedom are used during the investigation. The first-order shear deformation theory is used to consider the effects of the transverse shear deformation. The effects of hole sizes, location of the holes, thickness variations and boundary conditions on the buckling load of the composite plates are determined. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.