A refined theory for thick composite plates (Q1106682)

The present theory uses a displacement approach, as in the Reddy theory [\textit{J. N. Reddy}, J. Appl. Mech. 51, 745-752 (1984; Zbl 0549.73062)]. However, the displacement field form is dictated by the satisfaction of one condition: that is, the transverse shear stresses have to vanish on the plate surfaces and be nonzero elsewhere as in the Reddy theory, but also by the introduction of the normal transverse stress in order to satisfy the boundary conditions on the bounding planes of the plate for an arbitrary normal transverse charge. Then, this theory must incorporate the normal transverse strain. For this reason, the displacement field is expanded as a function of the thickness coordinate at the fourth order, in order to satisfy exactly full boundary conditions, and in order to obtain a theory which leaves the same number of dependent unknowns as in the first-order shear deformation theory. The aim of this research is to model the thick composite plates.