A Refined Nonlinear Theory for Sandwich Plates Faced with Orthotropic Laminated Composites and Its Application
Wang Zhiwei (Wuxi University of Light Industry, 214036)
Liu Renhuai (Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics, Jinan University 510632)

Abstract: A refined nonlinear theory is developed for sandwich plates faced with orthotropic laminated composites by using Hamilton principle. The theory accounts for continuity of transverse shear stresses at contact surfaces between face layers and core, and includes five unknowns. For the nonlinear static problem, the governing equations are given in explicit form with four unknowns. As the application of the theory, the nonlinear bending of rectangular sandwich plates faced with or thotropic laminated composites is investigated. The simply supported boundary conditions corresponding to the theory are considered, and the nonlinear response quantities of the plates are given. Numerical calculations indicate that the transverse shear stresses at contact surfaces between face layers and core are very important in engineering design.
Keyowrds: sandwich plates, nonlinear composites, transverse shear stresses, stresses at interface.