Buckling and post-buckling analysis of moderately thick laminated rectangular plates

Abstract

The first-order shear deformation theory formulated by Mindlin, associated with von Karman's non-linear strain-displacement relationships is employed to investigate the buckling and post-buckling of moderately thick laminated plates. An eight-node isoparametric plate finite element with 5 d.f, per node is developed for this purpose. The plate is assumed to be subjected to uni or biaxial compression and the plate edges are allowed to move in the load direction. The assembled finite element equations are solved along with constraint equations enforcing the same displacement (in the load direction) at all the nodes on an edge. The effects of boundary conditions, aspect ratio, side to thickness ratio and lay-up sequence on the buckling and post-buckling behaviour are studied in detail. Some changes in the mode shape coupled with a drop in the load carrying capacity of the plate are also reported herein.