Thermal flexural analysis of anti-symmetric cross-ply laminated plates using a four variable refined theory

This article deals with the flexural analysis of anti-symmetric cross-ply laminated plates under nonlinear thermal loading using a refined plate theory with four variables. In this theory, the undetermined integral terms are used and the number of variables is reduced to four, instead of five or more in other higher-order theories. The boundary conditions on the top and the bottom surfaces of the plate are satisfied; hence the use of the transverse shear correction factors is avoided. The principle of virtual work is used to obtain governing equations and boundary conditions. Navier solution for simply supported plates is used to derive analytical solutions. For the validation of the present theory, numerical results for displacements and stresses are compared with those of classical, first-order, higher-order and trigonometric shear theories reported in the literature.