Analytical solution for rectangular thick laminated plates subjected to arbitrary boundary conditions

Three-dimensional deformations of a multilayered, linear elastic, anisotrop ic rectangular plate subjected to arbitrary boundary conditions at its edge s are analyzed by the generalized Eshelby-Stroh formalism. The rectangular laminate consists of anisotropic and homogeneous laminae of arbitrary thick nesses. perfect bending Is assumed between the adjoining laminae in the sen se that both surface tractions and displacements pre assumed to he continuo us across their interfaces. The analytical solution is in terms of infinite series, and the effect of truncating the series on the accuracy of the sol ution is scrutinized. The method is also applicable to rectangular laminate d plates, with edges of each lamina subjected to different boundary conditi ons, Results are presented for thick plates with different sets of edge bou ndary conditions, eg., two opposite edges simply supported and the other tw o subjected to eight different conditions or all four edges clamped.