Finite element modeling for bending and vibration analysis of laminated and sandwich composite plates based on higher-order theory

A nine-nodded rectangular element with nine degrees of freedom at each node is developed for the bending and vibration analysis of laminated and sandwich composite plates. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through thickness of the plate and rotary inertia effects. The parametric effects of plate: aspect ratio, angle of fiber orientation, side-to-thickness ratio and degree of orthotropy on in-plane stresses, transverse shearing stresses, displacements, and fundamental frequencies are shown. Results are compared with existing numerical solutions.