A robust methodology for the simulation of postbuckling response of composite plates

The application of a robust numerical method, namely the differential quadr ature method (DQM) for the analysis of buckling and postbuckling of laminat ed composite plates is introduced. The method is combined with an are-lengt h strategy to solve the resulting system of nonlinear equations. The treatm ent accounts for the effect of large deformation by including the von Karma n strains. Imperfections in the form of global deflection, conforming to th e preferred buckling modes are introduced throughout the plate. Case studie s are used to evaluate the geometrically nonlinear response of composite pl ates under the set conditions, and the results are compared with those obta ined by finite element solution and the results obtained from a published l iterature.