Levy type analysis of cross-ply plates based on higher-order theory

A hitherto unavailable Levy type analytical solution to the problem of deformation of a finite-dimensional general cross-ply thick rectangular plate, modeled using a higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT), is presented. A solution methodology, based on a boundary-discontinuous generalized double Fourier series approach is used to solve a system of five highly coupled linear partial differential equations, generated by the HSDT-based laminated plate analysis, with the SS2-type simply supported boundary condition prescribed on two opposite edges, while the remaining two edges are subjected to the SS3-type constraint. The numerical accuracy of the solution is ascertained by studying the convergence characteristics of deflections and moments of a cross-ply plate and also by comparison with the available first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and classical lamination theory (CLT)-based analytical solutions. Hitherto unavailable important numerical results presented include sensitivity of the predicted response quantities of interest to lamination, lamina material property, and thickness effects, as well as their interactions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.