Spline finite strip analysis of the buckling and vibration of composite prismatic plate structures

A spline finite strip capability is described for predicting the buckling stresses and natural frequencies of vibration of prismatic plate structures which may be of composite laminated construction with arbitrary lay-ups. The plate structures may have general boundary conditions. The capability embraces analyses based on the use of first-order shear deformation plate theory and of classical plate theory, and utilizes substructuring procedures which include the use of superstrips. The theoretical development is not detailed since the present paper reports a very direct extension of a theoretical study developed for the analysis of single plates in an earlier paper in this Journal. A considerable range of buckling and vibration applications is documented and comparison of spline finite strip numerical values of buckling stresses and frequencies is made with results generated using the semi-analytical finite strip method and, in some cases, the finite element method. Buckled and vibrational mode shapes are presented for some applications.