Bending of a Transversely Isotropic, Rectangular Thick Plate with Free Edges

Abstract

An analysis for the bending of a transversely isotropic, rectangular thick plate with free edges, subjected to a partially distributed uniform load is presented. A tenth-order theory of moderately thick plates is used for the analysis. A particular solution deduced from the generalized Elliott solution and a homogeneous solution consisting of plane stress, generalized plane stress, and antisymmetric stress solutions is used. Numerical results for displacements and stresses in graphite epoxy and E glass epoxy, as well as in an isotropic material, are presented. The effect of anisotropy and thickness-width ratios on the displacements and the stresses is examined.