Transverse shear and normal deformation theory for bending analysis of laminated and sandwich elastic beams

The influence of transverse normal strain on bending analysis of cross-ply laminated and sandwich beams is presented. A higher-order shear deformation beam theory is developed. Euler-Bernoulli classical, Timoshenko first-orde r and simple higher-order theories have been also used in the analysis. The governing equations for a beam composed of orthotropic layers and subjecte d to any given mechanical load distribution are derived. Making use of Navi er-like approach, exact solutions are obtained for cross-ply laminated and sandwich beams subjected to arbitrary loadings. Numerical results for beams with the simply-supported boundary conditions are presented. The effects d ue to transverse normal strain, transverse shear deformation and number of layers on the static response of the beams are investigated.