Thermal Stress Analysis of Cross-ply Laminated Plates using Refined Shear Deformation Theory

Abstract

A refined shear deformation theory is presented for laminated plates under thermal loading. The in-plane displacement field uses sinusoidal function in terms of thickness co-ordinate to include the shear deformation effect. Governing equations and boundary conditions of the theory are obtained using the principle of virtual work. Stresses and deflections of isotropic, orthotropic, symmetric and antisymmetric cross- ply laminated plates subjected to linear thermal loads are obtained. It is to be noted that the present theory satisfies the constitutive relations in respect of transverse shear stress. The validity of present theory is verified by comparing the results with those of classical plate theory, first order shear deformation theory, third order shear deformation theory.

Keywords: Cross-ply laminated plates; orthotropic material; trigonometric shear deformation theory; thermal stresses