An accurate computational model for thermal analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates

In the present study, a new computational model which incorporates the effect of transverse shear and normal deformation is presented for the thermal analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates. The present theory involves nine unknowns and uses a polynomial function in terms of thickness coordinates which is expanded up to fifth-order. In the present fifth-order shear and normal deformation theory (FOSNDT), the governing equations are variationally consistent and obtained by using the principle of virtual work. Plates are analyzed for simply supported boundary conditions using Navier's solution technique. Numerical results obtained by using the present theory are compared with three-dimensional elasticity solution and other higher-order theories available in the literature. It is found that the present theory is accurately predicting the thermal response of laminated composite and sandwich plates compared to any other theory available in the literature.