Advances in the modeling of laminated plates
The present evaluation of extant 2D theories and computational models of laminated composite plates gives attention to the classical, as well as to various shear-deformation, plate theories. A generalization of advanced theories is proposed, and computational aspects of the displacement finite-element models of these advanced theories are discussed. The 4MREDNC-R element appears to be ideally suited to use as a flat, four-noded shell element for applications in which the bending and membrane couplings are not significant.