Non-linear thermal effects on the bending response of cross-ply laminated plates using refined first-order theory

Based on the representation of the displacement field proper to the first-o rder transverse shear deformation theory, and using Reissner's mixed variat ional principle modified as to include thermoelastic effects, an equivalent single-layer model of composite laminated plates is presented including th e geometric non-linearity. In contrast to the usual approach of such models , the present model has the advantage of eliminating the need of the inclus ion of a shear correction factor. Moreover, this model predicts continuous stress distributions through the laminate thickness. The equations of motio n, the constitutive equations and the required boundary conditions are obta ined. Based on the obtained equations, linear and non-linear numerical resu lts on the static state of stresses and displacements of cross-ply symmetri c and antisymmetric laminated plates are supplied. To assess the present mo del, some of the obtained linear results are compared with their counterpar ts in the literature. The effect of the geometric non-linearity on the ther mal response of the laminate is investigated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.