Nonlinear Vibration of Laminated Plates Using a Refined Shear Flexible Finite Element

A finite element model based on a higher order shear deformation theory is developed to study the large amplitude-free vibration of laminated composite plates. The large deformation is accounted for by using von Karman strain-displacement relations. The higher order theory accounts for the parabolic variation of transverse shear strains through the thickness of the laminate. A C° nine noded isoparametric element with seven degrees of freedom at each node is implemented. The direct iteration method is used to solve the nonlinear equations which are evaluated at the point of reversal of motion. A wide variety of case studies are performed to examine the nonlinear vibration characteristics of laminated plates