Non-linear dynamic thermo-mechanical buckling analysis of the imperfect sandwich plates based on a generalized three-dimensional high-order global–local plate theory

The available plate theories either have not considered the interlaminar stress continuity condition or have been calibrated based on linear strain–displacement relations. Moreover, almost all buckling analyses performed so far employing the global–local plate theories, were restricted to linear, static buckling analyses of the perfect plates, neglecting the transverse normal strain and stress. Researches available in literature for dynamic buckling analyses of the sandwich plates are very rare. In the present paper, a generalized high-order global–local theory that satisfies all the kinematic and transverse stress continuity conditions at the interfaces of the layers, is proposed to investigate dynamic buckling of imperfect sandwich plates subjected to thermo-mechanical loads. In comparison to the layerwise, mixed, and available global–local theories, the present theory has the advantages of: (1) less required computational time due to using the global–local technique and matrix formulations, (2) higher accuracy due to satisfying the complete interlaminar kinematic and transverse stress continuity conditions and considering the transverse flexibility, (3) suitability for non-linear analyses, (4) capability of investigating the local phenomena, such as the wrinkling. To enhance the accuracy of the results, compatible Hermitian quadrilateral elements are employed. The buckling loads are determined based on a criterion previously published by the author.