A multilayered plate theory with transverse shear and normal warping functions

A multilayered plate theory taking into account transverse shear and normal stretching is presented. The theory is based on a seven-unknowns kinematic field with five warping functions. Four warping functions are related to the transverse shear, the fifth to the normal stretching. The warping functions are issued from exact three-dimensional solutions. They are related to the variations of transverse shear and normal stresses computed at specific points for a simply supported bending problem. Reddy, Cho-Parmerter and ( a modified version of) Beakou-Touratier theories have been retained for comparisons. Extended versions of these theories, able to manage the normal stretching, are also considered. These theories, which use the same kinematic field with different warping functions, are compared to analytical solutions for the bending of simply supported plates. Various plates are considered, with special focus on low length-to-thickness ratios: an isotropic plate, two homogeneous orthotropic plates with ply orientation of 0 degrees and 5 degrees, a [0/c/0] sandwich panel and a [-45/0/45/90]s composite plate. Results show that models are more accurate if their kinematic fields (i) depend on all material properties (not only the transverse shear stiffnesses), (ii) depend on the length-to-thickness ratios and (iii) present a coupling between the x and y directions. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.