A decoupled modal form Duffing equation for an orthotropic laminate in a clamped boundary condition with thermal diffusion

The non-linear thermo-elasticity response of an orthotropic laminate in a clamped boundary condition is analyzed by means of the method of weighted residuals for its behaviors subject to thermal and mechanical loading. The equation of motion for the laminate's deflection is obtained in the form of a decoupled modal form Duffing equation, without Berger's approximation. The thermal field, with both the in-plane and transverse temperature variations, is incorporated in both a steady-state and transient state. The formulation indicates that a transverse thermal field with a temperature rise produces a load onto the laminate, while the in-plane temperature variation affects the system frequency and stability. We demonstrate the numerical results of the modal response of an isotropic laminate for the thermal buckling and vibration.