Static and dynamic analyses of laminated plates using a layerwise theory and a radial basis function finite element method

A layerwise shear deformation theory for composite laminated plates is discretized using a radial basis function finite element method (RBFEM). The RBFEM is the radial basis function (RBF) method in weak-form and is a partially mesh free method. Therefore, elements of complex shapes can be easily constructed. Compact-support Wendland function is used in the RBFEM. A layerwise theory based on a linear expansion of Mindlin's first-order shear deformation theory in thickness direction is employed for static and dynamic analysis. The combination of the RBFEM with the layerwise theory allows an accurate and very flexible prediction of the field variables. Laminated composite and sandwich plates were analyzed. The RBFEM solutions were compared with various models in literatures and showed very good agreements with exact and other high accurate results in literatures based on similar layerwise theories. The analysis of composite plates based on the layerwise theory indicates that the RBFEM is an effective method for high accuracy analysis of large-scale problems.