A new inverse hyperbolic shear deformation theory for static and buckling analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates

In present study, a new inverse hyperbolic shear deformation theory is proposed, formulated and validated for a variety of numerical examples of laminated composite and sandwich plates for the static and buckling responses. The proposed theory based upon shear strain shape function yields non-linear distribution of transverse shear stresses and also satisfies traction free boundary conditions. Principle of virtual work is employed to develop the governing differential equations assuming the linear kinematics. A Navier type closed form solution methodology is also proposed for cross-ply simply supported plates which limits its applicability. However, it provides accurate solution which is free from any numerical/computational error. It is observed that the present theory can be more accurately applied for the modeling of laminated composite and sandwich plates at the same computational cost as that of other shear deformation theories. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.