Nonlinear random vibration of laminated composite plates using high-order shear theory

The nonlinear response of laminated composite plates modeled with finite elements and excited by stochastic loading is studied. A high-order shear theory is used to account for the variation of strains through the thickness, since Kirchhoff and Mindlin plate theories are usually inadequate for modeling composite plates of reasonable thickness. Further, since most composite materials exhibit significant nonlinearity in the shear stress-strain law, this is included in the analysis. Approximate nonlinear random vibration analysis is performed using the method of equivalent linearization.