A solution for the vibration and buckling of composite laminates with elastically restrained edges

A three-dimensional elasticity approach is used to develop a general free vibration and buckling analysis of composite plates with elastic restrained edges. The employed refined layerwise laminated theory guaranties an optimum and an economical solution procedure. The computation algorithm is based on finite elements analysis. The procedure permits a systematic and a straight-forward modeling of restrained supports for anisotropic composite plates. By entering into the category of thick plate analysis, the accuracy and effectiveness of the method would become more evident. At each edge three translational elastic stiffnesses with no need for rotational degrees of freedom are defined and there is no limitation on the desired numbers of restraint edges. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.