Vibration of laminated orthotropic plates using a simplified higher-order deformation theory

Abstract

Assuming a constant in-plane rotation tensor through the thickness in Reddy's higher-order plate theory it is shown that a simpler higher-order theory can be obtained with the reduction of one variable without significant loss in the accuracy. This simple higher-order shear deformable plate theory is then used for predicting the natural frequencies of simply-supported isotropic, orthotropic and laminated composite plates. The results obtained for isotropic, orthotropic and laminated plates compare favourably with Reddy's results and other 3D results. © 1988.