An efficient global zigzag theory (GZIGT) is developed for elastic laminated plates, by approximating the in-plane displacements by a cubic expansion in thickness coordinate along with a global zigzag function, which takes values ±1 at successive interfaces. The deflection is approximated to account explicitly for transverse thermal strain. The displacement variables are reduced to five, the same as used in first-order shear deformation theory, by imposing the conditions on transverse shear at three a priori selected interfaces/faces. A third order theory (TOT1) is also developed with similar expression of deflection. GZIGT and TOT1 are assessed by comparison with exact three-dimensional solutions for simply-supported square plates for sinusoidal pressure and thermal loads, natural frequencies and buckling. In general, GZIGT yields good results for two-ply, three-ply and four-ply composite plates, but it is inaccurate for a highly inhomogeneous test plate.
Noor, A.K. and Burton, W.S. (1992). Computational Models for High Temperature Multilayered Composite Plates and Shells, Applied Mechanics Reviews, 45(10): 419-446.
2.
Argyris, J. and Tenek, L. (1997). Recent Advances in Computational Thermostructural Analysis of Composite Plates and Shells with Strong Nonlinearities, Applied Mechanics Reviews, 50(5): 285-306.
3.
Carrera, E. (2000). An Assessment of Mixed and Classical Theories for the Thermal Stress Analysis of Orthotropic Multilayered Plates, Journal of Thermal Stresses, 23: 797-831.
4.
Ghugal, Y.M. and Shimpi, R.P. (2002). A Review of Refined Shear Deformation Theories of Isotropic and Anisotropic Laminated Plates, Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 21: 775-813.
5.
Whiteny, J.M. and Pagano, N.J. (1970). Shear Deformation in Heterogeneous Anisotropic Plates, Journal of Applied Mechanics , 37: 1031-1036.
6.
Wu, C.H. and Tauchert, T.R. (1980). Thermoelastic Analysis of Laminated Plates, Part I: Symmetric Specially Orthotropic Laminates, Journal of Thermal Stresses, 3: 247-259.
7.
Wu, C.H. and Tauchert, T.R. (1980). Thermoelastic Analysis of Laminated Plates, Part II: Antisymmetric Cross-ply and Angle-ply Laminates, Journal of Thermal Stresses, 3: 365-378.
8.
Reddy, J.N. (1984). A Simple Higher Order Theory for Laminated Composite Plates, Journal of Applied Mechanics, 51: 745-752.
9.
Khdeir, A.A. and Reddy, J.N. (1991). Thermal Stresses and Deflections of Cross-ply laminated Plates Using Refined Plate Theories, Journal of Thermal Stresses, 14: 419-438.
10.
Di Sciuva, M. (1986). Bending, Vibration and Buckling of Simply Supported Thick Multilayered Orthotropic Plates: An Evaluation of a New Displacement Model, Journal of Sound and Vibration , 105(3): 425-442.
11.
Murakami, H. (1986). Laminated Composite Plate Theory with Improved In-plane Response, Journal of Applied Mechanics, 53: 661-666.
12.
Ali, J.S.M. , Bhaskar, K. and Varadan, T.L. (1999). A New Theory for Accurate Thermal/Mechanical Flexural Analysis of Symmetric Laminated Plates, Composite Structures, 45: 227-232.
13.
Makhecha, D.P. , Ganapathi, M. and Patel, B.P. (2001). Dynamic Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates Subjected to Thermal/Mechanical Loads Using an Accurate Theory, Composite Structures, 51: 221-236.
Kant, T. and Khare, R.K. (1994). Finite Element Thermal Stress Analysis of Composite Laminates Using a Higher-order Theory, Journal of Thermal Stresses, 17: 229-255.
16.
Rohwer, K., Rolfes, R. and Sparr, H. (2001). Higher-order Theories for Thermal Stresses in Layered Plates, International Journal of Solids and Structures , 38: 3673-3687.
17.
Toledano, A. and Murakami, H. (1987). A Composite Plate Theory for Arbitrary Laminate Configurations, Journal of Applied Mechanics, 54: 181-189.
18.
Lu, X. and Liu, D. (1992). An Interlaminar Shear Stress Continuity Theory for Both Thin and Thick Composite Laminates, Journal of Applied Mechanics, 59: 502-509.
19.
Robbins, D.H. and Reddy, J.N. (1993) Modelling of Thick Composites Using a Layer-wise Laminate Theory, International Journal of Numerical Methods in Engineering, 36: 665-667.
20.
Di Sciuva, M. (1993). Multilayered Anisotropic Plate Models with Continuous Interlaminar Stresses. Composite Structures, 22: 149-167.
21.
Cho, M. and Parmerter, R.R. (1993). Efficient Higher Order Composite Plate Theory for General Lamination Configurations, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Journal, 31(7): 1299-1306.
22.
Shu, X. and Sun, L. (1994). An Improved Simple Higher-order Theory for Laminated Composite Plates, Composite Structures , 50(2): 231-236.
23.
Kapuria, S. and Achary, G.G.S. (2004). An Efficient Higher Order Theory for Laminated Plates Subjected to Thermal Loading, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 41: 4661-4684.
24.
Carrera, E. (2003). Historical Review of Zigzag Theories for Multilayered Plates and Shells, Applied Mechanics Reviews, 56(3): 287-308.
25.
Carrera, E. (2002). Temperature Profile Influence on Layered Plates Response Considering Classical and Advanced Theories, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Journal, 40: 1885-1896.
26.
Tungikar, V.B. and Rao, K.M. (1994). Three-dimensional Exact Solution of Thermal Stresses in Rectangular Composite Laminate, Composite Structures, 27: 419-430.
27.
Xu, K., Noor, A.K. and Tang, Y.Y. (1995). Three-dimensional Solutions for Coupled Thermoelectroelastic Response of Multilayered Plates, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 126: 355-371.
28.
Kapuria, S. and Achary, G.G.S. (2005). Exact 3D Piezothermoelasticity Solution for Buckling of Hybrid Cross-ply Plates Using State Space Approach, Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik, 85: 189-201.
