A HIGHER-ORDER THEORY FOR BENDING OF ISOTROPIC PLATES

A new higher order theory of homogeneous plates is developed in this p aper. The present theory accounts for all nonclassical effects such as transverse strains and normal strain. The governing equations are pre sented in the form of four simultaneous partial differential equations . An exact closed-form solution is obtained for an infinite plate, sim ply supported on opposite edges and infinitely long in the other direc tion, subjected to a sinusoidal static load. The results are compared with the exact solution and higher order theory solutions. It is found that the present theory predicts displacements, stresses and strains accurately.