Generalized plate model for highly contrasted laminates

•The highly contrasted stratified plates behavior is derived by asymptotic approach.•The method justifies the a priori assumptions used in the previous approaches.•Several regimes of behavior arise according to layers and loading parameters.•The bi-torsor formulation explains the shear/bending coupling.•Applications to laminated glass and hard skin sandwich panels are presented.

This paper deals with highly contrasted stratified laminates. The effective plate behavior is derived from the 3D constitutive law of the materials combined with an asymptotic expansion formulation and an appropriate scaling the stiffness contrast. This method enables to justify the a priori assumptions used in the previous approaches. The different regimes of behavior are clearly specified, according to the mechanical and geometrical parameters of the layers, and to the loading. The method provides a synthetic bi-torsor representation that facilitates the understanding of the coupling between the shear and bending mechanisms. Applications to laminated glass and hard skin sandwich panels are presented.