Comparison of various laminated plate theories

The aim of this paper is to analyse the behaviour of various shear-deformation laminated-plate theories previously proposed by Reissner, Reddy and Touratier. The accuracy of these theories is compared for two problems for laminates for which an exact elasticity solution has been given by Pagano. Retaining the best model among those compared, interlaminar continuity conditions have been taken into account in this best response for laminates, and it is shown how important these conditions are in improving accuracy by comparing them with the elasticity solution. Models which have been introduced are two dimensional and imply the three standard generalized displacements associated with shear bending. Studies were limited to symmetric and orthotropic plates. Finally, an analysis of edge effects was conducted for a square symmetric orthotropic sandwich plate with two simply supported opposite edges, the other two opposite ones being hard clamped. Edge effects have been observed with refined shear-deformation theories but not with the first-order shear deformation theory proposed by Reissner. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.