Radial basis functions collocation for the bending and free vibration analysis of laminated plates using the Reissner-Mixed Variational Theorem

In this paper, we combine the Carrera's Unified Formulation CUF (E. Carrera. Theories and Finite elements for multilayered plates and shells: A unified compact formulation with numerical assessment and benchmarking. Arch. Comput. Meth. Eng., 10:215–297, 2003) and a radial basis function (RBF) collocation technique for predicting the static deformations and free vibrations behavior of thin and thick cross-ply laminated plates. For the first time, the Reissner-Mixed Variational Theorem is used together with the RBF collocation to achieve a highly accurate technique. The accuracy and efficiency of this collocation technique for static and vibration problems are demonstrated through numerical examples.

► New meshless formulation with a Mixed formulation, including both displacements and stresses.
► Radial basis function collocation of the Reissner-Mixed Variational Theorem.
► Excellent results for static deformations and free vibrations of laminated plates.