On dynamics of laminated anisotropic plates using a refined mixed plate element

An analysis of the free vibration and transient response of laminates using a mixed shear flexible element is presented. The element is based on a refined theory that accounts for a parabolic distribution of the transverse shear stresses through each lamina and requires no shear correction coefficients. The mixed formulation of the theory treats the five displacement functions and six stress resultants independently so that they are nodal degrees of freedom in the finite element model. Sample problems using the element are analyzed and the results of free vibration and transient response are presented. Compared to the existing shear deformation plate theory the present refined theory gives more accurate results for frequencies, displacements and stresses.