FE modeling for geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated plates using a new plate theory

The aim of the present work is to study the nonlinear behavior of the laminated composite plates under transverse sinusoidal loading using a new inverse trigonometric shear deformation theory, where geometric nonlinearity in the Von-Karman sense is taken into account. In the present theory, in-plane displacements use an inverse trigonometric shape function to account the effect of transverse shear deformation. The theory satisfies the traction free boundary conditions and violates the need of shear correction factor. The governing equations of equilibrium and boundary conditions associated with present theory are obtained by using the principle of minimum potential energy. These governing equations are solved by eight nodded serendipity element having five degree of freedom per node. A square laminated composite plate is considered for the geometrically linear and nonlinear formulation. The numerical results are obtained for central deflections, in-plane stresses and transverse shear stresses. Finite element Codes are developed using MATLAB. The present results are compared with previously published results. It is concluded that the geometrically linear and nonlinear response of laminated composite plates predicted by using the present inverse trigonometric shape function is in excellent agreement with previously published results.