A refilled single-layer model of geometrically non-linear composite laminat
es is presented using a mixed variational approach. The present model accou
nts for Reissner-Mindlin's assumptions on displacement and continuous stres
s distributions at the layer interfaces. Therefore, the present first-order
plate theory recovers the actual interlaminar stress state without losing
its simplicity and leads to a consistency with the theory of elasticity. Fu
rthermore, the stresses are consistent with the surface conditions. The rat
ionale for the shear correction factor used in other first-order theories i
s obviated. The governing equations including the von Karman nonlinearity a
re deduced with the required boundary conditions. A wide variety of linear
and non-linear results for cross-ply symmetric and antisymmetric laminates
are presented. A bending analysis is made to illustrate the influence of th
e geometric non-linear effect on the transverse deflections and the stresse
s. Some of the present linear results are compared with their counterparts
in the literature. The present results are in good agreement with the resul
ts of others. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.