Dynamic instability of composite laminates using a higher order theory

A higher order shear deformation theory is used to investigate the instability associated with composite plates subject to dynamic loads. Both transverse shear and rotary inertia effects are taken into account. The procedure is implemented using the finite element approach. The natural frequencies and the critical buckling load are computed and compared with the results based on the classical laminate plate theory and the first-order shear deformation theory. The first two instability regions are determined for various loading conditions using both first- and second-order approximations. These results are also compared with the other approaches. Significant deviations are observed for thick plates due to the presence of shear deformation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.