Applied Mathematics and Mechanics

(English Edition, Vol. 19, No. 8, Aug. 1998)

Published by SU,
Shanghai, China

AN ANALYTICAL SOLUTION OF RECTA~{GULAR L A M I N A T E D

P L A T E S BY H I G H E R - O R D E R THEORY*

Fan Yell (~_lk~_~)' Lin Fangyong (~k~a'~)'

(Received Feb. 24, 1997; Communicated by Huang Xiaoqing)
Abstract
On the basis of the Reddy's higher-order theory o.f composites, this paper
introduces a displacen~ent function t~ into it and transforms its three differential
equations for symmetric cross-ply composites into only one eight-order differential
equation generated by the displacement-function.

When a proper ~

is chosen, both

solutions are obtained, namely, tire Navier-type solution of simply supported

rectangular laminated plates and the Levy-type solution with the boundary condition
where two opp6site edges are simply supported and remains are arbitrary. The
numerical examples show that the present results coincide well with the existing results
in the references, thus validating that the present soh, ing method is reliable. The higher.
order theory of Reddy is simpler in calctdation but has higher precision titan the firstorder shear deformation theory because the former has fewer unknows than the latter
and requires no shear coeffici'ents.

Key words laminatedplate, higher-order theory, analytical solution

I.

Introduction

Since composite materials have superior mechanical properties, they are widely concerned
by technicians. From the classical laminate theory to the first-order shear deformation theory
and from the higher-order theory to the elasticity theory, the theories of laminated plates of
composite meterials get fast development. The Navier solution of simply supported rectangular
plates was developed by Whitney and LeissaI~l for classical laminate theory.. The Navier
solution was developed by Whitney and Pagano 1-'1for the first-order shear deformation theory.
The three-dimensional elasticity solution for the bending of simply suported laminates was
obtained by Paganol~k The Levy-type solution was developed by Reddy 141 for symmetric
laminates with different boundary condi'tions by using the first-order shear deformation theory.
The present study deals with the development of the Levy-type solution of the refined shear
deformation theory of Reddy by Khdeirt~l. The state-space concept is used to solve the
ordinary differential equations obtained after the application of the Levy solution procedure.
For solutions of limanated plate problems, researchers in our country have also made.many of
theoretical researches. The analytic solution of free vibration of composite laminated
* ProJect supported by.the Science Foundation of Guangdong province
Department of Engineering Mechanics, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641,
P. R. China
793

Fan Yeli and Liu Fangyong

794

plates clamped at four edges was obtained by Y e kaiyuan I~1. The analytic solution of free
vibration of the first-order shear deformation theory at arbitrary boundary conditions was
obtained by Wen Lizhou I71.
On the basis of the Reddy's higher-order theory of composites, this paper introduces a
displacement lkmction ~ into it and transforms its three differential equations for symmetric
cross-ply composites into only one eight-order differential equations generated by the
displacement function. When a proper ~ is chosen, both the Navier-type solution of simply
supported rectangular laminated plates and the Levy-type solution with the boundary
condition are obtained where two opposite edges are simply supported and remains are
arbitrary. The numerical examples show that the present results well coincide with the existing
results in the references, thus validating that the present solving method is reliable. The
method in this paper is simple and current general, and is also convenient in application.
II.

Simplification of Basic Equations

The following assumptions are 'made: (1) the displacements u, v and w of plates are small
as compared with the plate thickness; (2) there is no action of temperature and moisture and
plates are subjected to only distributed lateral load. Basic equations of higher-order theory by
Reddy are:
Lil

L12

LI3

L14

LI2

L22 I-a3 Lu

L~

v0

LI3

L.z3 L33

L34

L35

Lt4

/-,24 L34 L44

L45

Cy

Lt5

L25

L55J wo

L3-5 L45

where: Li/ are differential operators and

resultants:

Pi

L15" uo

f!}

L O.= Lii , Introduce the following higher-order

h~

(i = 1,2,6);

"a_h/20iz3 dz

(2.1)

(Rt,R2)

fh/'2
-h/'2 Z2(fy5,04)dg

(2.2)

and the laminate stiffnesses:

r h/2

(Aq,Bi/,D#,E~,F~,H#)

J_h,~Ou(I,z,?,?,?,z6)&

(i,j

= 1,2,6)

(2.3)

f" h / 2

(Ai/,Do.,F~i) = J_h,,2Qo.(l,z2,z4)dz

(2.4)

( i , j = 4,5)

The boundary conditions of the theory are of the form:

w orQ.; Ow/OnorP.;

orM.; r

orM~;

on r

where r is the boundary of the midplane I2 of the plates, and

2
M. = Mln~ + M2n2r + 2Men.nr; Mr. = (M2 - M1)n~nr + M 6 ( n . -

P~ =" PI n.~2 + P2n~r + 2P6n~%; Pn~ = (P2 - Pl)nxnr + P6(nx2 _ n 2)

4 {aP,.
OP,, I
4
Q,, = Q,n.~ + Q2n.r + 3h-~-'ff~-s + "3~-n/ ; Mi = Mi - ~ P ,
Qi = Q i - 4hR2 i

(i = 1,2); ~

(i = 1,2,6)
a

= n. ~xx + nr Oy' 3s - n. "~y - nr ~xx

(2.5)

An Analytical Solution of Rectangular Laminated Plates

In terms of the generalized displacements (,w, ~b,,,
Eqs. (2.5) cari be expressed as follows:
M1 = DN 3x + D~2"~y +

0r

M2 = D 1 2 ~ +

Dz~ 3y +

~br ), the stress resultants appearing in

F12( ~)(0,r

M, = o~( a:'" ~ 1

(o:,,

795

- 3hZ] " a y +

02'~

( I(4

-5-~yz
/

O2W]
' ~ y + ~ySyz]

32w /
~ 2~-~yj

c9 w

Q2 = A44( ~,- + b--fy) + D44( - ~ 1 ( ,r + -~-~)

0,o

a,o]
(2.6)

? ' --

F"I~)

P2 =

FI2(0c-~) +

~ r. J

7r~/

For symmetrical cross-ply laminated plates, the following stiffness coefficients vanish:
B~ = E O. = 0

( for i , j = 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ) ; A45 = D45 = H45 = 0

A I6 = A26 = DI6 = D26 = H16 = H~ = F16 = F ~ = 0
Then, the original equations can be simplified as:
" Ln

L12

"/t 0 '

Lt2

L~

v0

L33

L34 L35

L~

L44

r
i
L45 !r

L35

L45

L~5. ~Wo.

,=

{!]

(2.1)

When the bending problem is solved, only the latter three equations in the Eqs. (2.1) is used.
After developing, we can write:
L33r + LuCy + L35~o =

0]
(2.7)

Lu r L44Cr + L45Wo
L35r + L45r + L55wo
where:
_

L33 = ( Dll

3h---~Fn

16 H ~ 32
16

16

fl..~3

Fan Yell and Liu Fangyong

796

-3h2 Fi2+ F~) +

(Hi2+H~)]0xOy

_ ...4_4
H ] 03
~x-~h2{(Fl,
3h2 "]~x ,

16F55) 0

L35 =- (As,-~D55+--~

+ [r'2 + 2r~- 7~("i' +

16

02

03

16

+ -~ ~,,) ~

=_

03

- 3h4 2 {[

Fl2+ 2F66- ~-~(H,2 + 2H66)]0x-~0~ + (F=

,6~ ~:

L55 = - ( A55 - -~zD55 + --~ 55]'~x2 -

+ ~[,,,,

(A~ - ~

~_t4

3h2 ,:,9]~y]y3S

,6_,:

+ -'~1+44}0y 2

~,

0x4 + 2(~,2 + 2 ~ , ) ~

_ 4 / / ' ~ 03 l
+

+ m,

~,
~]
(2.8)

To solve Eqs. (2.7), it is necessary to introduce a displacement function ~ ( x , y ) , if take:

~= = ( L35 544

- L,5 L~) r

~,

- (r,z~

wo

(L34L34- L~L33)~ j

- L,,r~)~ l

(2.9)

and substitute them into the basic Eqs. (2.7), the first and second equations of the Eqs. (2.7)
are automatically satisfied. The third equations will become an eight-order differential
equation. By derivation, it can be written as:
38

Ct ~

0s

Os

~98

+ C2 Ox63y 2 + C3 3x4Oy 4 +
06

06

C40x23y 6 +

36

04

+ C7 3x4Oy 2 + C80x20y4 + Cg~x 6 +

+ C12 ~Oy 4 + C 1 3Ox

- -2 +

0,

C14

5)

08

06

C5 ~x 8 + C6 3xtf
34

C l oi9~y4 + ell 0 x20 y2

= q

(2.10)

where CI, C 2 , ' " , 6'14 are the coefficients. (see the appendix 1).
Substituting the Eqs. (2.8) on differential operators into Eqs. (2.9), we obtain:

o_,

~b.~ = Axl Ox5 + Ax2 3x3Oy2 + Ax3 Ox3y4 + Ax4 Ox3 + A,5 ax3y2 + A,,6
~b,. =

At, ~

a'

+ Ar2.-~x"i'~y3 +

wo = A,t ~Ox4 + A~,2~

,'

At30x40y + A~i--0y
3 + As50x20y

+ A,,3 --Oy4 + A~ ~

o'-

+ As6

+ A~,5~Oy2 + A,~ q~

t~
9

(2.11)

An Analytical Solution of Rectangular Laminated Plates

797

where IA,I ,"" ,A~6,Art,'", At6, and A,~1,'",A,,,6'are the coefficients. (see the appendix 1.)
Since the solution equation is an eight-order diffenrential equation, it needs four boundary
9conditions in each edges of plates. In the following, the boundary conditions of the generalized
internal forces will be also expressed by using a displacement function.
III.

Displacement Function Expression of Boundary Conditions

The generalized internal forces concerning boundary conditions, expressed by d,b~,tbr and
w0, havc shown in Eqs. (2.6). Substituting the Eqs. (2.11) into Eqs. (2.6), we obtain the
expressions containing only a displacement function r
y) :
MI=

4
4
06
{[ ( D,, - ~'~F,,)A.~t
-'~'~F,IAwII'~x6
+ [ ( DI'
+

~-~ Fn), A~2

4

4 F12) At3 " ~3tt4 ( FnA .2 + FI2A~I)] 3x43y2

86
DI2 - ~-~

4F
+ [(
+

4.~_F

+(Dr2 ~-'~F@Ar2-~-~(FI,Aw3+
4

4 a,. -

0___66

4 F

0,6 + [(

ax2Oy4

-)A.. -

4.
4
F12A
[(D,, - ~4 F n)A.~5+(D,2- ~-~F,2)
Ar5 - 3-~z(F,,A,.5+

4 F

4 F

d.

4 Fu)A,6
~4 + [(Oil -~2~2
. "

--

0::

~1)] 04.
a ~y~

4 ~ .. 1 ~-~x2
a2

-- 3 h 2 / ( 1 1 A ' ~ ' 6 ]

02 } ~ ( x , y )

...

(3.1)

By such transformation, the problem of solving three differential equations becomes that of
solving an eight-order differential equation. The Eqs. (2.10) involves only one unknown
function r
y).It is convenient for seeking an analytical solution.
IV.

B o u n d a r y C o n d i t i o n s of L a m i n a t e d P l a t e

According to the general forms of boundary conditions, we can wri.te out three basic
forms of rcctangular plates.
I. Simply supported boundary
When

X 1 or

X2

M, = PI = Cy = w =00}
M2 P2 r
w

When y = y l o r y = Y2,

(4.1)

2. Free boundary
When x = xl, or x

-~2,

4
Mt = P1 = 0 ; M 6 - ~-~P6 = 0

Qt

~R1
-

When y = Y l , o r y = Y2,

+ ~4
- U r{OP6 + - ~oP11
;j
--

4
M2 = P2 = 0 ; M 6 - ~ P 6
4

(~P~

(4.2)

= 0
ae2/

Q 2 - ~ R 2 + 3-~-'~--x + "~-'y / =

Fan Yell and Liu Fangyong

798
3. Clamped boundary'
When

x t or

X2 7

(4.3)

Ow/Oy

W b e n y = Yl o r y = Y2,

er

V.

The Analytical Solution of Lamineted Plate with Boundary Condition Which

Four Edges Are Simply Supported

5.1

Derivation of displacement function

Suppose that the length and width of a plate are a and b, respectively, and its boundary

conditions are simply supported:

x = 0;a;

MI = Pt = er = w = 0;

y = 0;b;

/1'/2 = P2 = r

Now, we assume displacement function ~ ( x , y ) h a s

fourier series:

9 (x,y)

= w = 0;

the following representation in double

= ~--] ~-]Am,,sina.~sin/~y
m=l n=l

(5.1)

where: a,, = nvr/a, fl,, = nzr/b

From the expressions of M t , M 2 , P 1 , P 2 , w , r
and er , we know that the form of
displacement function CP(x,y)is correct because it satisfies all boundary conditions. We also
spread out the lateral load q ( x , y)in double fourier series:

q(x,y)

= ~

~-] q...,sina.r~sinfl~

(5.2)

m=l n=l

Substituting the series (5.1) a n d (5.2) into the governing differentral Eq. (2.10), we
obtained:

c,m,.,,,~ + C~A.,.,r

+ C3AJ..~. + C , A ~ . ~ . + C~A.,,~.- C , A ~

- CTA,,,na4,,fl~- csa,,,na2,,fl4,,- CgA,,~, + C,oA,,,,,a~ + c,,a,,~2,d32

+ C12A~4n- Cl3Amr,a2m- CI4An~2n = q,,n
Therefore, we obtain the coefficionts of the series as: A,~ = q,,~/F,,~
where
Fma -- Cio, Sm+ C20'?n~2, + C30~4m~n + C4~2~n + C 5 ~ n -- C6~6m- CT~t4n~2

- cs~.#'.- c ~ . + C,o~'.. + c , , ~ .

+ c,~~'.- c , ~ -

c,,~

5.2

The numerical examples and comparisons

Now, consider thrce examples with simply supported boundary. The material propcrties
are taken as: E1 = 25 106psi(172.35GPa);E2 = 1 x 106psi(6.894GPa); G12 = GI3 = 0.5
106psi(3.447GPa); Gz3 = 0.2 x 106psi(1.379GPa);vn = v13 = 0.25.
and thc nondimensionlizcd symbol is taken as:

ffl = w( a/2, b/2) E2 x 102h3/(qoa4)

I. For a square laminate

(0"/90*/0 ~

subjected to the transverse load q ( x , y )

An Analytical Solution of Rectangular Laminated Plates

qosin(rcx/a)sin(lry/b)

799

with layers of equal thickness, the calculating results are listed in

Table I.

Table

Comparison

of center

deflections

@ of square

(0"/90~ *) l a m i n a t e s

under

sine load
Fsryr

a/h

Rexldy[tl

Present

1.9218

1.9218

1.5681

I. 7763

1.9122

10

0.7125

0.7125

0.6306

0.6693

0.6949

100

0.4342

0.4342

0.4333

0.4337

0.4340

~ = 4=516

~ = K~= 3/4

It can be seen that the results of the present method well coincide with the results of the
classical method of the Reddy theory and are more accurate than FSDT.
2. For a rectangular plate of
results are listed in Table 2.
Table 2

Comparison

b/a= 3 with

conditions as the same as the above example, the

of center deflections ~ of reetangluar

plates

under

sine

load

( b / a = 3)
a/h

Reddy~81

Present

paganoD]

Fstrr( ~ = ~:~= 5/6)

2.3626

2.6411

2.6411

2.82

10

0.8622

0.8622

0.919

0.803

20

0.5937

0.5937

0.610

0.5784

100

0.5070

0.5070

0.508

0.5064

It can be seen that the results of the present method well coincide with the results of the
classical method of the Reddy theory and are more accurate than FSDT.
3. For a square laminate subjected to a uniform load q0, where q,,~ = 16q0/rr2mn . of
only taking odd terms, the calculating results and the comparisons are shown in Table 3.

Table 3

Corn m r i s o n of c e n t e r d e f l e c t i o n s ~ o f s q u a r e p l a t e s u n d e r u n i f o r m load

Present

Reddyra]

a/h

FSDT(~ = ~ = 5/6)

N=9

N=29

N=9

N=29

N=9

/V=29

7.7681

7.7661

7.7681

7.7661

7.7170

7.0666

2.9103

2.9091

2.9103

2.9091

2.5623

2.5697
1.0220

10

1.0903

1.0900

1.0903

1.09(D

1.0244

20

0.7661

0.7660

0.7661

0.7660

0.7574

0.7573

50

0.6839

0.6838

0.6839

0.6838

0.6808

0.6~

0.6705

0.6705

0.6705

0.6679

0.66~

100

0.6705

It can be seen that the results of the present method well coincide with the results of the
classical method of the Reddy theory.

Fan Yeli and Liu Fangyong

800

The Levy-Type Solution for Plates with Boundary Conditions which Two
Opposite Edges Are Simply Supported and Others Are Arbitrary

VI.

6.1

Derivation of displacement function

Assume that the edges a t x = 0 and x = a of the rectangular plate are simple supported and
the others are arbitrary as shown in Fig. 1. We take the solution of Eq. (2.10) i n t h e form of
the series:

Ib
nt=l

li

From the expressioias of M1, PI, w and ~br, we can know that
the displacement function ~ ( x, y) satisfies the boundary conditions.
We also find that the function ~,.(y) is a function of y, so we can
open up the lateral load in a fouries series:

q ( x , y) = ~

Qm(y)sina,,,('x)

'

I
0

(b)

i
_a

Fig. 1

m=l

Since the governing Eq. (2.10) is an eight-order differential equation, substituting (a) and (b)
into Eq. (2.10), we obtain:

Cl~a..~..(x) - c2 6~2)(,.
,. y) + ,~3,...,-.."
_4..4)~y) - ,.4,.,..,."
_2~r (y) +
- C6~.,(r)

+ c7,~4,.~)(y)

,, 2.tC2)ry)
-- GtlOttn?'rn
k

+ Cl2 ~ . y )

2 ~,) (y) + C 9 ~ ) ( y )
csa.,~,.

--

C13a2~,,(y) + C 1 4 ~ ) ( y )

c#~)(y)
+ C~o,~.,(y)
--

Q~

(6.1)

A f t e r arrangement, we obtain:

~,.~,',..y) +

~.,3~2)(y) +

a.z~,.(r)

Q.,

(6.1)'

where
~ml = C5; a,.2 = C9 -- C 4 c t 2m ; t~m3 = C3ct 4m - C 8 0 : ,2. + C12
am4 - - -

C2 ~ 6 4- C7cf4m - e l l ~ 2 4- C141 tl,rn5 = Clt/Sm- C8Ct6m 4- CloCt4m- C13 ~ 2

The Eq. (6.1)' is a non-homogeneous eight-order ordinary differential equation, and its
characteristic equation is:

~.~

4- ~ . . ~

4- ~ . . ~

4- ~ . ~

4- ,,~ = 0

(6.1)"

Let x,,, = 22,,,, and substitute this equation into Eq. (6.1)". We obtain:
a m l X m'4 4-

O.m2X3m 4- a " 3 X r2n + a m 4 X m 4- am 5 = 0

Divided by a,.t, the above formula can be simplifed as:

4

x~ + b"lX,,~ + b,n2xm + bm3Xm + bin,, = 0

The roots of the above equation and the four roots of the following two equations are
completely the same.
x"
b"t y +
2 + ( b,n 1 + ~/8y + b"l - 4bm2)"~" + ( Y + ~/8y + brat b,,,3
X,,t
- 4b.,2 ) = 0

An Analytical Solution of Rectangular Laminated Plates

-

x~-(b.,,

~ x,~

+.,/Sy + b,,,,-4b,,a:"~

b.,ly

+ Y

801

~ / S y + b,,,,-4b,,a

8y 3 - 4b,.2y2+ (2b,,,lb,,,3 - 8b,,~)y + b.,4('4b,a2-- b~ l) - b ~ = 0

(e)

where y is any one real root of cubic equation (c). Thus we can obtain the eight roots of ' 2,,,,
and the solution of the homogeneous equation" of the Eq. (6.1)' is:

~,~(y) = C,~le~., ~' + C~2e;%r + C~e;% r + C~te;t., r C~5e~-s

+ C,,,6ea"~r + C,~7ea-Tr + Cmsea'sr
Assume that a particular solution of the non-homogeneous Eq. (6.1)'is Q ~ , ( y ) .
we can obtain the ordinary solution of the original differential equation:

Therefore,

~,~(y) = Cmle~., r + C~2ea~ar + C,,de?'~ r + Cr~4e;~.,4r + C~ea.,~ r

+ Cm6 e'l'sr + Cry7ex'~Tr + C,,S ea'sr +

QX (y)

(6.2)

The eight constants. C,~t,C~2,...,C,~ s, in the solution above can be determined by the
remaining two boundary conditions. Because there are four conditions in each edge and two
edges have eight conditions. The eight constants can be just determined. The displacement
function ~ ( x , y)which of the form of a fourier series is always written as the following form:
t'/)(x,y) = ~__/[ CmleA'*'Y +
n|=

+ C,~6ea'r
6.2

The numerical

Crrt2eA,,,2Y+ Cm3e'~,,~Y.t. Crn4e'l~tY + Cm5eam.~y

Cm7Lcl-Ty + fins e'~'sy +

Q~,(y)]

sina,,~

(6.3)

examples and comparison

In order to examine thc reliability of the present method, we take the laminate
(00/900/0 ~) with layers of equal thickness as the numerical examples. The material properties
are taken as follows:
Et = 19.2 x 106psi(132.36GPa); E2 = 1.56 x 106psi(10.75GPa)
G12 = GI3 = 0.82 x 106psi(5.65GPa);
Gzs = 0.523 x 106psi(3.60GPa); v12 = vl3 = 0.24

ff~ = [ w( a / 2 , b/2) /qO] 106; a = 200in(5.08m)

Assume that the plate is subjected to a uniform load q0 =

2
~sina.,x.
m=1,3,5 awrn

The results

of calculation and comparison are shown in Table 4.

The following natations are used throughout the tables:
S - - S i m p l y supported b o u n d a r y
C
Clamped boundary
F i .Free boundary
N
Item number
It can be seen from the results in Table 4:
(I) The calculating results ( N = 2 9 ) of the present method are very close to the results of
the state-space concept in reference [5J-and have higher precision.
(2) Under the condition of the same ratios of the side lengths and of thickness to length
(for example ~t//) = 3 and h/a=0.2), if the boundary constraint of plates is stronger, the central

Fan Yeli, and Liu Fangyong

802

deflection is smaller, that is, CC case is minimum and FF case is maximum. This coincides
with usual concept of physics.
Table 4

Center

deflection

of cross-ply

(0"/90"/0 ~

laminates

witla v a r i o u s

boundary

conditions

CC

SS
alb

0'.2
3

4
5

Present

h/a

Present

Khdeir[ ~1

N=9

N=29

46.39

46.34

Khdeir/s]
N=9

N=~

46.33

26.85

26.81

26.80
47.57

0.14

96.63

96.53

96.52

47.69

47.59

0.2

21.67

21.62

21.61

13.06

13.01

13.01

0.14

41.58

41.48

41.46

22.54

22.44

22.42

0.2

12.20

12.16

12.15

7.24

7.37

7.36

0.14

22.05

21.95

21.83

12.80

12.71

12.69

FF
a/b

CF
Present

Present

h/a

KhdeirIs]

Khdelr[5]
N=9
3
4
5

N=29

N=9

N=29

0.2

438.2

437.8

437.7

104.21

104.17

104.16

0.14

934.3

933.5

933.3

217.9

217.0

216.9

0.2

435.9

435.4

435.4

55.95

55.90

55.89

0.14

936.2

935.3

935. I

112.58

112.49

112.47

0.2

436.2

435.9

435.7

32.31

32.27

32.26"

0.14

937.1

936.2

936.0

62.83

62.75

62.73

SC
a/b

VII.

SF

Present

Present

h/a

Khd~:sl

tO~leirfS]
N~9

N=~

35.17

237. I

236.6

236.5

66.08

512.4

511.6

511.4

16.91

16.90

191.76

191.73

191.72

30.22

30.20

415.'0

414.20

414.0

N=9

N=29

0.2

35.22

35.17

0.14

66.20

66.10

0.2

16.95

0.14

30.32

0.2

9.61

9.57

9.56

0.14

16.83

16.73

16.72

157.89

157.83

157.83

340.7

339.8

339.6

Conclusions

1. The characteristic of this paper is that, by use of a displecement function ~ ( x , y ) , the

three equations of, Reddy theory for symmetric cross-ply composits plates are replaced by only
one equation generated by the displacement function. We obtain the Navier-type solution of
plate with boundary condition which four edges are simply supported and the Levy-type
solution for plate with the boundary condition in which two opposite edges are simply
supported and Other two edges are arbitrary.
2. Based on the solution above, the analytical solutions of symmetric cross-ply composite
plates with rectanguhir shape and arbitrary boundary condition can be obtained by using the
principle of addition.

An Analytical Solution of Rectangular Laminated Plates

803

3. In. this paper, for the four edges simply supported plates, we consider three examples.
First, the results in this paper coincide with the results of the classic~J method of Reddy 'theory
and are more accurate than FSDT. Second, no matter what a/h~4, 10, 20, 100, the results of
this paper completely coincide with the results of the classical method of Reddy theory.
However, the present results are smaller than those of the elastic theory of Pagano and bigger
than those of FSDT. Third, no matter what a/h=2, 4, 10. . . . . 100, (N=9, or N=29). the
results of this paper completely coincide with Reddy theory, thus validating the fact that the
prsent method is reliable.
4. For the plates with the boundary conditions in which two opposite edges are simply
supported and two edges are arbitrary, several numerical results are given. There are altogether
six cases (SS. SC. SF. CC. CF. FF). Whether aspect ratios are 3, 4, 5, and h/a=0.2 or 0.14,
the calculating results are very close to the results of Khdeir tSl and has higher precision.
5. The programming language is F O R T R A N 5. The computation can be carried out on
small computers.
References

[ I ] J. M. Whitney and :A. W. Leissa, Analysis of heterogoneous anisotropic plates, J. Appl.

Mech., ,36, 2 (1969), 261 ~266.
[2] .I. M Whitney and N. J. Pagano. Shear deformation in heterogeneous anisotropic plates,
.I. Appl. Mech., ,'17, 4 (1970), 1031 -- 1036.
[3] N . . I . Pagano, Exact solutions for rectangular bidirectional and sandwich plates,
Journal of Composite Material, 4, 4 (1970), 20~34.
[4] J. N. Reddy, A, A, Khdeir and L. Librescu, The Levy type solutions for symmetric
rectangular composite plates using the first-order shear deformation theory, J. Appl.
Mech., 54, 3 (1987), 740~742.
[5] A. A. Khdeir, J. N. Reddy and L. Librescu, Analysical solution of refined deformation
theory for rectangular composite plates, lnternat. J. Solids Structures, 23, 10 (1987),
1 4 4 7 ~ 1463.
[6] Ye Kaiyuan and Deng Liangbo, Free vibration of composite laminated plates clamped at
four edges, Chinese Science Bulletin, 34, 1 (1989), 25 ~ 30.
[7] Xia Chuangyou and Wen Lizhou, An analytical solution of free vibration for symmetric
cross-ply composite plate in various boudary conditions, Acta Matrial Composite Sinica,
8, 4 (1991), 88~99. (in Chinese)
[8] . I . N . Reddy, A simple higher-order theory for laminated composite plates, J. Appl.
Mech., 51, 4 (1984), 745~752.
Appendix 1
Derivation of governing equation of higher-order.
a8

as

a6
+ C8 ~

a8

a6

aa

a4

a~

+ C9~-.y-~ 4- Clo ~ax 4 + C|l ax2ay 2 +

where
4

16

Ct =- ~h2( F,t -'~flHtt)A.,+ ~'~dHHA.,

a8

a6

a6

a4

CI2 --ay4 +

= q

(2.10)

804

Fan Yell and Liu Fangyong

4
C2= - ~{(F,,-

4
4
2H65)] (A.,+ A~.:~)}
~h2H,,)A.2+
[ F,2+ 2Fc~- ~(H,2+

16rH n A,.2 +2(Hn+2H~)A,,I]

+ 9/,--qt
C3 = __ ~~. ~ { (4F , I, _ ~4. HIm) Ax3 +

4
2Hss) ] (A.2+ A:)
[F,2+2F~-'~-~2(Hn+

~-~[HnA,3 + Hz~A,ol + 2(Hn + 2H66)A,,2]

C4= - ~-~{
4 [ Fn + 2F66 - ~h2(Fn+2F6a)](m,,3.+ At,). / F z ~ - ~ H4 z 2 ) a : }

+ ~h4[HzzA,~2 + 2(Hn + 2He6)A,,3]

4
4
16
Cs =- ~-~( F=- ~-~2H=) Arl +'~HaA,,,3
4
9_~4Hn A~4
C 6 = - ( a:f5 - "~2Ds:~+ ~16 F55)(m.l ,+ A.2)- ~h2( F11- ~-~HII)A.~+
9
16

C, = - ( A55-'~D55+ ~4F,5)(A,,,+A.2)- (A44-'~D~- ~:F44)(A::,+A,,,,)

16 rH IIA.5 + 2(H12 H66)Au74] - 3"~{(
4 Fll
+ ~-2[

+ [ Fn + 2F66- "~(Hn
9

- ~'~Hu)A..5
4

(A..4

16
I"~6F55)(A.,+ '.,)-(A44--~2 D44 + "~F~)
(At2+ A~2)
9 4

4
+2He~)](A,,s+A#)}
+ [ Fn + 2F66 - ~h2(nn
16
4

4
C9 =-(A~.- "~2D,~+ "~F.) (At, + .41o3)-~~( Fz2-~Hm)
Ar4+#HmA~5
" 16
- 4
4
16
Cio ' = - ( A55 - -~ D55 + -~ Fss) ( A.~ + A~ ) + ~-~2( Fn - " ~ Hn ) A~ + "~-~HuA~
16
8
16 F ~ ) ( A #
- h28 Ds.~ +.'~F55)
(a~ + aws)- (A44 - -~D~
+ --~
+ A,,.t)

Cn=_(a~5

+
Ci2 =

2(Hn+2H~)A~-~h 2 FI2+2Fc~-~-~(Hn+2H~) (A~+A.:)

16
4
"~D~+ -~F~)
(Ar4+A,.5) - # ( F=- ~-~H22)
A:+ #H=A~

-(A44-

Cl3 = -(A,,
C14 m -

~0,, + ~F,,)
'6 (A~ + a~)

16
(Ass-'~D55+'-~F55)
(A~+ ~,)

Substituting Eqs. (2.8) of dift'erential operator into Eqs. (2.9), we obtain:

(A ~ +
:
a5
a-~
a3
(2.11)

where
_ 8

16

An Analytical Solution of Rectangular Laminated Plates

~.,= #{
_

8
( m~ - ~-~,%
+ 16

(Fn _

2F~ - 4

805

2H~)]

8
16
4
#,,,,) (o., - ~,~+
~,,o)
[,.,, +..,,- ~<,,,,,

2H~)]

16
[ D12 + Des - ._8_(
3h 2 Fm + F~) + ~'-~(H~2
+ H~)] }

~.,= #{
-(,,o -

16 (H

nm)]

+#,-,-,)

"

+-,4
16

Ax4 =

( 066 - ~ F. + ~-~h~H. ) + ( A,5 - "~ Dss + -~ F55)

-~(
= -

4
16
F,, - "~-~
H,, ) ( A,~ - ~ O,u + -~
F44)

- ~-~ Fm+ ~t4 22}

16F~)[ F,2

16 Fss)

16

16
D

16

16
4

16

_8_8F

3h 2

4
2g~) ]
~-~(H,2+

2F~

At2 = _ ~t2 { ( D66 _ _._8_8

16

+ 2H~)]

4
8
4.
+ (,-.,- jo)
(,,,, - ~,-.
+ ~,,.)- [,-,, +.-,.- ~<,,,,
+ 2H~)]
8
16
9 [D,,+ o,,- ~<,-,,+
,,.,,~+ ~,~,,,,+
,,,.~]}

,,: -_ - ~{(,,,,
"
-

- ~,,,,)+
,

- 3h2Fn

-pF.)

i6

_~2D,~ 16

- 3h 2

At5

- h,2 55 +

16

- ( D,, - -3h2FH8
+ .~h4H,,) ( A,~ - "~ D,u + ~15 r,,,)

16

2H66))
16

A:

,,,,~]

3h2( .12+

+ 9h4H11

[~,,, + D,,- ~<~,,

,
+ &> + #<,,,,+

(Ass

16
"~2Dss + ' ~1 6 F ss](A44~
"~2D44 + "~'/F,~)

16
:., =- (o.- ~..+ ~,..)

( Du - ~j,,

H~)]

- 3- h- 2 F n

16
+

+ ~,,.)
H~)] 2 _

- ~

T~")

16

806

Fan Yell and Liu Fangyong

16 Fz5) ( Dr~ - g8 - ~ l ~ + ~ V 16
~

16

,~. = (.~ - ~ .

16

8
-

16
~r,,

16
~.)(,~i~ D55 + "~16 F55)
"~