Finite Deflections of Loosely Clamped Symmetrically Laminated Rectangular Plates Subjected to Temperature Fields

Abstract

This article is concerned with the geometrically nonlinear analy sis for the response ofsymmetrically laminated composite material rectangular plates subjected to transverse loads and temperature fields . The general nonlinear thermoelastic gov erning equations , based on von Karman large defle ction theory, are formulated f or plates subjected to temperature fields of special class where the temperature field may be assumed to be completely separable with respect to through thickness of the plate . Inertia effects and transverse shear effects are not considered. However, the governing equations include the thermomechanical coupling effects . Boundary conditions for loosely clamped edges are considered. Simultaneous determination of transverse deflection and the force function is achieved by expre ssing these quantities as double serie s involving appropriate beam eigenfunctions satisfying all the boundary conditions. Results corresponding to increasing transverse (aerodynamic) forces and thermal fi elds are included, indicating the sensibility of the stress and displacement fields to the class of lam inated plates under consideration .