| Abstract: | In this paper, the two‐dimensional differential quadrature element method (DQEM) is developed for the static analysis of symmetric cross‐ply laminates using the first‐order shear deformation plate theory. In this study, the laminated plate, which may contain different discontinuities in loading, geometry, material, and boundary conditions, is first divided into several simple plate elements and then the differential quadrature method (DQM) is applied to each simple element. Compatibility conditions are derived to connect the plate elements so that the overall matrix equation system for the whole plate is obtained and solved. The reliability of the DQEM for solving the titled problems is examined carefully through convergence and accuracy studies and finally some numerical test examples are given to demonstrate the applicability and flexibility of this method for practical use. The methodology presented here has overcome some critical drawbacks of the global DQM but is different from the Quadrature Element Method (QEM) since only one grid point is employed to represent the interface point. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
