Large deflection of unsymmetric laminates with mixed boundary conditions

This paper is analytically concerned with non-linear bending of an unsymmetrically laminated angle-ply rectangular plate under lateral load. The plate edges are subjected to the varying rotational constraints. A series solution satisfying the von Karman-type non-linear equations and the required boundary conditions of the plate is presented. In the formulation the edge moments are replaced by an equivalent lateral pressure near the plate edges. Governing equations are reduced to a set of algebraic equations. Numerical results for maximum deflection, bending moment and inplane force of unsymmetric angle-ply plates are graphically presented for various high-modulus materials, aspect ratios, geometries of lamination and boundary conditions. Present results are also compared with available data.