FINITE STRIP ANALYSIS OF ANISOTROPIC LAMINATED COMPOSITE PLATES USING HIGHER-ORDER SHEAR DEFORMATION-THEORY

In the present study, a finite strip method for the elastic analysis of anisotropic laminated composite plates is developed according to higher-order shear deformation theory. This theory accounts for the parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate and for zero transverse shear stresses on the plate surfaces. In comparison with the finite strip method based on first-order shear deformation theory, the present method gives improved results while using approximately the same number of degrees of freedom. It also eliminates the need for shear correction factors in calculating the transverse shear stiffness.