Buckling analysis of laminated composite plates using an efficient C0 FE model

Buckling analysis of laminated composite plates is carried out by using an efficient C0 FE model developed based on higher order zigzag theory. In this model the first derivatives of transverse displacement have been treated as independent variables to overcome the problem of C¹ continuity associated with the FE implementation of the plate theory. The C0 continuity of the present FE model is compensated in the stiffness matrix calculations by using penalty parameter approach. Numerical results and comparison with other existing solutions show that the present model is very efficient in predicting the buckling responses of laminated composites