Analytical Solution for Rectangular Thick Laminated Plates Subjected to Arbitrary Boundary Conditions

Three-dimensional deformations of a multilayered, linear elastic, anisotropic rectangular plate subjected to arbitrary boundary conditions at its edges are analyzed by the generalized Eshelby-Stroh formalism. The rectangular laminate consists of anisotropic and homogeneous laminae of arbitrary thicknesses. Perfect bonding is assumed between the adjoining laminae in the sense that both surface tractions and displacements are assumed to be continuous across their interfaces. The analytical solution is in terms of infinite series, and the effect of truncating the series on the accuracy of the solution is scrutinized. The method is also applicable to rectangular laminated plates, with edges of each lamina subjected to different boundary conditions. Results are presented for thick plates with different sets of edge boundary conditions, e.g., two opposite edges simply supported and the other two subjected to eight different conditions or all four edges clamped.