Generalized hybrid quasi-3D shear deformation theory for the static analysis of advanced composite plates

This paper presents a generalized hybrid quasi-3D shear deformation theory for the bending analysis of advanced composite plates such as functionally graded plates (FGPs). Many 6DOF hybrid shear deformation theories with stretching effect included, can be derived from the present generalized formulation. All these theories account for an adequate distribution of transverse shear strains through the plate thickness and tangential stress-free boundary conditions on the plate boundary surfaces not requiring thus a shear correction factor. The generalized governing equations of a functionally graded (FG) plate and boundary conditions are derived by employing the principle of virtual work. Navier-type analytical solution is obtained for FGP subjected to transverse load for simply supported boundary conditions. Numerical examples of the new quasi-3D HSDTs (non-polynomial, polynomial and hybrid) derived by using the present generalized formulation are compared with 3D exact solutions and with other HSDTs. Results show that some of the new HSDTs are more accurate than, for example, the well-known trigonometric HSDT, having the same 6DOF.     

A quasi-3D hyperbolic shear deformation theory for functionally graded plates

A quasi-3D hyperbolic shear deformation theory for functionally graded plates is developed. The theory accounts for both shear deformation and thickness-stretching effects by a hyperbolic variation of all displacements across the thickness, and satisfies the stress-free boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the plate without requiring any shear correction factor. The benefit of the present theory is that it contains a smaller number of unknowns and governing equations than the existing quasi-3D theories, but its solutions compare well with 3D and quasi-3D solutions. Equations of motion are derived from the Hamilton principle. Analytical solutions for bending and free vibration problems are obtained for simply supported plates. Numerical examples are presented to verify the accuracy of the present theory.     

An efficient and simple higher order shear and normal deformation theory for functionally graded material (FGM) plates

In this paper, an efficient and simple higher order shear and normal deformation theory is presented for functionally graded material (FGM) plates. By dividing the transverse displacement into bending, shear and thickness stretching parts, the number of unknowns and governing equations for the present theory is reduced, significantly facilitating engineering analysis. Indeed, the number of unknown functions involved in the present theory is only five, as opposed to six or even greater numbers in the case of other shear and normal deformation theories. The present theory accounts for both shear deformation and thickness stretching effects by a hyperbolic variation of all displacements across the thickness, and satisfies the stress-free boundary conditions on the upper and lower surfaces of the plate without requiring any shear correction factor. Equations of motion are derived from Hamilton’s principle. Analytical solutions for the bending and free vibration analysis are obtained for simply supported plates. The obtained results are compared with 3-dimensional and quasi-3-dimensional solutions and those predicted by other plate theories. It can be concluded that the present theory is not only accurate but also simple in predicting the bending and free vibration responses of functionally graded plates.     

Free vibration and stability of functionally graded plates according to a 2-D higher-order deformation theory

Natural frequencies and buckling stresses of plates made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) are analyzed by taking into account the effects of transverse shear and normal deformations and rotatory inertia. The modulus of elasticity of the plates is assumed to vary according to a power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. By using the method of power series expansion of displacement components, a set of fundamental dynamic equations of a two-dimensional (2-D) higher-order theory for rectangular functionally graded (FG) plates is derived through Hamilton’s principle. Several sets of truncated approximate theories are applied to solve the eigenvalue problems of FG plates with simply supported edges. In order to assure the accuracy of the present theory, convergence properties of the fundamental natural frequency are examined in detail. Critical buckling stresses of FG plates subjected to in-plane stresses are also obtained and a relation between the buckling stress and natural frequency of simply supported FG plates without in-plane stresses is presented. The distributions of modal displacements and modal stresses in the thickness direction are obtained accurately by satisfying the surface boundary conditions of a plate. The modal transverse stresses have been obtained by integrating the three-dimensional equations of motion in the thickness direction starting from the top or bottom surface of a plate. The present numerical results are also verified by satisfying the energy balance of external and internal works are considered to be sufficient with respect to the accuracy of solutions. It is noticed that the present 2-D higher-order approximate theories can predict accurately the natural frequencies and buckling stresses of simply supported FG plates.     

Hygrothermo-mechanical buckling of FGM plates resting on elastic foundations using a quasi-3D model

Hygrothermal and mechanical buckling responses of functionally graded (FG) plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak’s foundations are presented in this paper using a refined quasi-3D model. The effects due to transverse normal strain and shear deformation are both included. The present model exactly satisfies stress boundary conditions on the upper and lower surfaces of the FG plate without using shear correction factors. It is assumed that the material properties vary according to a power law of the thickness coordinate variable. The hygrothermal buckling equilibrium equations are derived from the principle of virtual work for FG plates resting on Winkler–Pasternak’s foundations with simply-supported boundary conditions. Two types of thermal and hygrothermal loading, uniform thermal and hygrothermal rise, linear thermal and hygrothermal distribution through the thickness are considered. Numerical results are presented to verify the accuracy of the present study. The effects played by Winkler–Pasternak’s parameters, plate aspect ratio, side-to-thickness ratio, gradient index, and loading type on the critical buckling of the FG plates are all investigated.     

Bending analysis of functionally graded piezoelectric plates via quasi-3D trigonometric theory

Abstract

This work is devoted to the bending analysis of functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) material plate by using a simple quasi-3D sinusoidal shear deformation theory under simply supported edge conditions. The governing equations and boundary conditions are derived by using the principle of virtual work. The impact of piezoelectric, electric loading, and gradient index on the displacement, electric displacement, electric potential, and stresses are explored numerically presented and discussed in detail. To check the accuracy and validity of bending results obtained from this analysis of FGP plates, results are compared with the analytical solution obtained by 3D, quasi-3D, and higher order shear deformation theories. Parametric studies are then performed to examine the effects of the thickness of the plate and the electric field on the overall electro-mechanical response of the FGP plates. The presented results are useful in design processes of smart structures and analysis from piezoelectric materials.     

Analysis of thick orthotropic laminated composite plates based on higher order shear deformation theory

A two-dimensional finite element model is presented to perform the linear static analysis of laminated orthotropic composite plates based on a refined higher order shear deformation theory. The theory accounts for parabolic distributions of transverse shear stresses and requires no shear correction factors. A finite element program is developed using serendipity element with seven degrees of freedom per node. The present solutions are compared with those obtained using three-dimensional elasticity theory and those obtained by other researchers. The theory accurately predicts displacements and transverse shear stresses compared to previously developed theories for thick plates and are very close to three-dimensional elasticity solutions. The effects of transverse shear deformation, material anisotropy, aspect ratio, fiber orientation and lamination sequence on transverse shear stresses are investigated. The error in values of transverse shear stresses decreases as the number of lamina increases, for a plate of same thickness. An increase in degree of anisotropy results in lower values of deflection in the plate. For cross-ply plate an increase in anisotropy results in an increase in effective stress whereas for angle-ply plate the effect is almost negligible. Through thickness variation of transverse shear stresses are independent of anisotropy. The maximum effective stress increases exponentially at lower values of anisotropy and reaches to an asymptotic value at higher values. The stacking sequence has a significant effect on the transverse deflections and shear stress. Rectangular plates experience less effective, in-plane and transverse shear stresses compared to square plates.     

Thermal buckling of cross-ply laminated composite and sandwich plates according to a global higher-order deformation theory

A two-dimensional global higher-order deformation theory is presented for thermal buckling of cross-ply laminated composite and sandwich plates. By using the method of power series expansion of continuous displacement components, a set of fundamental governing equations which can take into account the effects of both transverse shear and normal stresses is derived through the principle of virtual work. Several sets of truncated Mth-order approximate theories are applied to solve the eigenvalue problems of a simply supported multilayered plate. Modal transverse shear and normal stresses can be calculated by integrating the three-dimensional equations of equilibrium in the thickness direction, and satisfying the continuity conditions at the interface between layers and stress boundary conditions at the external surfaces. Numerical results are compared with those of the published three-dimensional layerwise theory in which both in-plane and normal displacements are assumed to be C⁰ continuous in the continuity conditions at the interface between layers. Effects of the difference of displacement continuity conditions between the three-dimensional layerwise theory and the global higher-order theory are clarified in thermal buckling problems of multilayered composite plates.     

Laminated composite rectangular and annular plates: A GDQ solution for static analysis with a posteriori shear and normal stress recovery

The Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) Method is applied to study laminated composite degenerate shell panels such as rectangular and annular plates. The theoretical treatment is maintained general in order to expose in a unique way the procedure adopted to obtain the stress profiles through the thickness of plates without specifying the equations for rectangular and annular plates. By simply imposing some geometrical relations the equations governing the problem of plates under consideration, that are degenerate shells, are inferred from the theory of shells of revolution. The mechanical model is based on the so called First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) deduced from the three-dimensional theory in order to analyse the above moderately thick structural elements. The solution is given in terms of generalized displacement components of points lying on the middle surface of the plate. After the solution of the fundamental system of equations in terms of displacements and rotations, the generalized strains and stress resultants are evaluated by applying the Differential Quadrature rule to the generalized displacements. The transverse shear and normal stress profiles through the laminate thickness are reconstructed a posteriori by using local three-dimensional elasticity equilibrium equations. No preliminary recovery or regularization procedure on the extensional and flexural strain fields is needed when the Differential Quadrature technique is used. By using GDQ procedure through the thickness, the reconstruction procedure needs only to be corrected to properly account for the boundary equilibrium conditions. In order to verify the accuracy of the present method, GDQ results are compared with the ones obtained with semi-analytical formulations and with 3D finite element methods. Stresses of several composite plates are evaluated. Very good agreement is observed without using mixed formulations and higher order kinematical models. Various examples of stress profiles for rectangular and annular plate elements are presented to illustrate the validity and the accuracy of GDQ method.     

Free vibration and stability of functionally graded circular cylindrical shells according to a 2D higher-order deformation theory

A two-dimensional (2D) higher-order deformation theory is presented for vibration and buckling problems of circular cylindrical shells made of functionally graded materials (FGMs). The modulus of elasticity of functionally graded (FG) shells is assumed to vary according to a power law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. By using the method of power series expansion of continuous displacement components, a set of fundamental governing equations which can take into account the effects of both transverse shear and normal deformations, and rotatory inertia is derived through Hamilton’s principle. Several sets of truncated Mth order approximate theories are applied to solve the eigenvalue problems of simply supported FG circular cylindrical shells. In order to assure the accuracy of the present theory, convergence properties of the fundamental natural frequency for the fundamental mode r=s=1 are examined in detail. A comparison of the present natural frequencies of isotropic and FG shells is also made with previously published results. Critical buckling stresses of simply supported FG circular cylindrical shells subjected to axial stress are also obtained and a relation between the buckling stress and natural frequency is presented. The internal and external works are calculated and compared to prove the numerical accuracy of solutions. Modal transverse shear and normal stresses are calculated by integrating the three-dimensional (3D) equations of motion in the thickness direction satisfying the stress boundary conditions at the outer and inner surfaces. The 2D higher-order deformation theory has an advantage in the analysis of vibration and buckling problems of FG circular cylindrical shells.     

Efficient 2D thermo-mechanical analysis of composites and sandwich laminates

The static behavior of composites and sandwich plates in thermo-mechanical environment is investigated by a two dimensional (2D) FE model. An efficient higher-order zig-zag theory (HOZT) considering actual through-thickness temperature profile and a least square error (LSE) method to accurately predict the inter-laminar stresses is implemented in this model. The in-plane displacement field is obtained by superposing a cubically varying global displacement field on a zig-zag displacement field having different slopes at each layer. This plate theory represents parabolic through thickness variation of transverse shear stresses, which satisfy the inter-laminar continuity at the layer interfaces and zero transverse shear stress conditions at the top and bottom of the plate. In the present 2D finite element (FE) model, the first derivatives of transverse displacement have been treated as independent variables to circumvent the problem of C¹ continuity associated with the above plate theory (HOZT). The accurate through-thickness distribution of temperature is obtained by using a linear zig-zag thermal lamination theory proposed by the authors by using the thermal conduction properties of different constituent layers in the thickness direction. The LSE method is applied at the postprocessing stage to accurately calculate the inter-laminar stresses by the 3D equilibrium equations of the plate problem, after in-plane stresses are calculated. The proposed combined FE model (HOZT+LSE) is implemented to analyze the static behavior of laminated composites and sandwich plates subjected to thermo-mechanical loadings. Many new results are also presented that should be useful for the future reference.     

Bending analysis of thick exponentially graded plates using a new trigonometric higher order shear deformation theory

An analytical solution of the static governing equations of exponentially graded plates obtained by using a recently developed higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is presented. The mechanical properties of the plates are assumed to vary exponentially in the thickness direction. The governing equations of exponentially graded plates and boundary conditions are derived by employing the principle of virtual work. A Navier-type analytical solution is obtained for such plates subjected to transverse bi-sinusoidal loads for simply supported boundary conditions. Results are provided for thick to thin plates and for different values of the parameter n, which dictates the material variation profile through the plate thickness. The accuracy of the present code is verified by comparing it with 3D elasticity solution and with other well-known trigonometric shear deformation theory. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the present HSDT theory predict with good accuracy inplane displacements, normal and shear stresses for thick exponentially graded plates.     

Vibration and stability of cross-ply laminated composite plates according to a global higher-order plate theory

Natural frequencies and buckling stresses of cross-ply laminated composite plates are analyzed by taking into account the effects of shear deformation, thickness change and rotatory inertia. By using the method of power series expansion of displacement components, a set of fundamental dynamic equations of a two-dimensional higher-order theory for thick rectangular laminates subjected to in-plane stresses is derived through Hamilton's principle. Several sets of truncated approximate theories are applied to solve the eigenvalue problems of a simply supported thick laminated plate. In order to assure the accuracy of the present theory, convergence properties of the lowest natural frequency and buckling stress are examined in detail. Numerical results are compared with those of the published existing theories and FEM solutions. The modal displacement and stress distributions in the thickness direction are obtained and plotted in figures. It is noticed that the present global higher-order approximate theories can predict the natural frequencies, buckling stresses and stresses of thick multilayered composite laminates as accurately as three-dimensional solutions.     

Bending of cross-ply laminated composites: An accurate and efficient plate theory based upon models of Lekhnitskii and Ren

Bending laminated composites results in a distinctive zig-zag shaped deformation pattern, accordingly jumping transverse shear strains at layer interfaces, but continuous courses of transverse shear stresses there. An accurate representation of this laminate-specific mechanical behavior in terms of plate theories is challenging, even more if computational efficiency is aimed for. Here, an axiomatic equivalent single layer plate theory for cross-ply laminated composites is presented, which is based on the work of Lekhnitskii and Ren and delivers accurate deformation and stress prognoses at the cost of six solution variables. Fulfilling transverse stress continuity, the infinitesimal equilibrium equations are considered in order to derive an appropriate ansatz for the transverse shear stresses including the influence of all plane stress reduced stiffness components. However, the effect of the normal stress σ_zz is neglected, and deflection w is assumed constant across the plate thickness. The equilibrium equations and corresponding boundary conditions of the plate theory are derived by application of the principle of virtual displacements. Numerical results for symmetrical and non-symmetrical composites as well as for typical sandwich plates obtained by the present theory show good agreement with corresponding exact elasticity solutions given by Pagano, even for thick plates.     

A higher-order shear and normal deformation functionally graded plate model: some recent results

A higher-order shear and normal deformations plate theory is employed for stress analysis and free vibration of functionally graded (FG) elastic, rectangular, and simply (diaphragm) supported plates. Although functionally graded materials (FGMs) are highly heterogeneous in nature, they are generally idealized as continua with their mechanical properties changing smoothly with respect to the spatial coordinates. This idealization is required in order to obtain the closed-form solutions of some fundamental solid mechanics problems and also simplify the evaluation and development of numerical models of the structures made of FGMs. The material properties of FG plates such as Young’s moduli and material density are considered in this case to vary continuously in the thickness direction according to the volume fraction of constituents and mathematically modeled as exponential and power law functions. Poisson’s ratio is assumed to be constant. The effect of variation of material properties in terms of material grading index on the deformations, stresses, and natural frequency of FG plates is studied. The accuracy of the presented numerical solutions has been established with the solutions available of other models and the exact three-dimensional (3D) elasticity solutions.     

复合材料多层厚板的精化高阶理论及其有限元法

本文提出了一种经过改进的复合材料多层厚板的精化高阶剪切变形理论,采用Legendre多项式来逼近位移场沿厚度方向的分布,较好地模拟了横向剪切变形和层间拉、压变形,利用层板上,下自由表面横向剪应力为零的边界条件,对所假定的位移场作了化简,在此基础上构造了相应的有限元.文中通过一些典型算例,与Pagano的弹性力学精确解[9]以及其他高阶理论的解作了比较,说明本文的精化高阶剪切变形理论及其相应的有限元具有精度高和收敛快的优点.     

An efficient FE model and Least Square Error method for accurate calculation of transverse shear stresses in composites and sandwich laminates

Accurate evaluation of transverse stresses in laminated composites and sandwich plates using 2D FE models involves cumbersome post-processing techniques. In this paper a simple and efficient method has been proposed for accurate evaluation of through-the-thickness distribution of transverse stresses in composites and sandwich laminates by using a displacement based C⁰ FE model (2D) derived from Refined Higher Order Shear Deformation Theory (RHSDT) and a Least Square Error (LSE) method. The C⁰ FE model satisfies the inter-laminar shear stress continuity conditions at the layer interfaces and zero transverse shear stress conditions at the top and bottom of the plate. In this model the first derivatives of transverse displacement have been treated as independent variables to circumvent the problem of C¹ continuity associated with the above plate theory (RHSDT). The LSE method is applied to the 3D equilibrium equations of the plate problem at the post-processing stage, after in-plane stresses are calculated by using the above FE model based on RHSDT. Thus the proposed method is quite simple and elegant compared to the usual method of integrating the 3D equilibrium equations at the post-processing stage for calculation of transverse stresses in a composite laminate. In the proposed method, the first two equations of equilibrium are utilized to compute the transverse shear stress variation through the thickness of a laminated plate whereas the third equation of equilibrium gives the normal stress variation. Accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated in the numerical examples through comparison of the present results with those obtained from different models based on higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) and 3D elasticity solutions.     

A finite element evaluation of single-layer and multi-layer theories for the analysis of laminated plates

A layerwise polynomial expansion along the thickness direction for displacements is assumed to analyse the behaviour of an arbitrary laminated composite plate. In contrast with other proposed approaches and in order to take into account the transverse normal stress distribution, out-of-plane displacements are not assumed to be constant along the thickness. Based on the proposed kinematic assumptions the continuity of the interlaminar stress components at the interface can be also achieved. A finite element procedure is established and plate models are derived in which the stress field is obtained directly from the constitutive relations and not by the integration of the three-dimensional equilibrium equations. Comparisons among the numerical results obtained with the proposed layerwise models, single-layer models, the classical laminate theory and exact three-dimensional elasticity solutions are presented and briefly discussed.     

3-D free vibration analysis of thick functionally graded annular sector plates on Pasternak elastic foundation via 2-D differential quadrature method

Early studies on annular sector plate vibrations were focused on two-dimensional theories, such as the classical plate theory and the first- and the higher-order shear deformation plate theories. These plate theories neglect transverse normal deformations and generally assume that a plane stress state of deformation prevails in the plate. These assumptions may be appropriate for thin plates. In this paper, free vibration of thick functionally graded annular sector plates with simply supported radial edges on a two-parameter elastic foundation, based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity, using differential quadrature method for different circular edge conditions including simply supported-clamped, clamped–clamped, and free-clamped is investigated. A semi-analytical approach composed of differential quadrature method and series solution is adopted to solve the equations of motion. The material properties change continuously through the thickness of the plate, which can vary according to a power law, exponentially, or any other formulations in this direction. Some new results for the natural frequencies of the plate are prepared, which include the effects of elastic coefficients of foundation, boundary conditions, material and geometrical parameters. The new results can be used as benchmark solutions for future research.