Dynamics of prestressed rotating anisotropic plates subject to transverse loads and heat sources, part I: Modelling and solution method

This paper considers the application of the finite element method for the a nalysis of translating or rotating plates, based on Mindlin plate theory an d the von Karman strain expression, in the context of linear thermoelastici ty. The existence of convective terms generates gyroscopic terms, unstabili zing effects in the stiffness matrix, ana radial in-plane tension. Homogeni zation theory, applicable to not only determining the global material prope rties for composite materials like laminate or fiber-reinforced matrix, but also computing microscopic stress levels, was applied to obtain orthotropi c material properties. The quasi-static stretching assumption was used to s implify the governing equations. A second order implicit time-integration s cheme, applicable for both the linear and non-linear governing equations, w as presented, which allows a time increment sufficiently large (without num erical stability problems) based on the accuracy needed. This paper (Part I ) presents the problem formulation and solution methods, while a companion paper (Part II) presents and discusses results for specially orthotropic ro tating disks. (C) 2000 Academic Press.