Isogeometric finite element analysis of composite sandwich plates using a higher order shear deformation theory

We present in this paper a simple and effective formulation based on a fifth-order shear deformation theory (FiSDT) in combination with isogeometric finite element analysis (IGA) for composite sandwich plates. The FiSDT yields non-linear distribution of the transverse shear stresses through the plate thickness and ensures a prior tangential stress-free boundary condition. The IGA uses same basis functions, namely B-splines or non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS), for preserving the precisely geometric representation and providing the numerical solution. It enables to achieve easily the smoothness with arbitrary continuity order and in the present method the C-1-continuity requirement of higher order shear deformation models is fulfilled. The static, dynamic and buckling analysis of rectangular and circular plates is investigated for different boundary conditions. Numerical examples are given to show high accuracy of the proposed method. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.