Use of a Refined Theory for Three-Dimensional Bending Analysis of Isotropic Rectangular Thick Plates

In this paper, a refined plate theory (Alternative II theory) is presented for the three-dimensional bending analysis of an Isotropic thick plate. The theory has similarity to the first order shear deformation theory but requires no shear correction factors. The kinematics equations were developed based on the Alternative II Refined plate theory. Thereafter, using a complete three-dimensional constitutive relation, the total potential energy was developed. A governing equation and two compatibility equations were obtained by the variation of the total potential energy with respect to displacement and rotations respectively. Solving the governing and compatibility equations, a polynomial displacement function was obtained. The stiffness coefficients were then obtained using the displacement function. Thereafter, the equations for the in-plane normal and shear stresses, transverse normal and shear stresses as well as the lateral displacement were developed using the stiffness coefficients and the displacement function. Numerical values of the lateral displacement parameters were determined for a rectangular plate of aspect ratio 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 for span to thickness ratios of 20, 10 and 7.14286. Also, numerical values of the lateral displacement and stresses were determined for a square plate for span to thickness ratios of 4, 10, 100 and 1000. The results from this work were compared with the work of previous researchers using simple percentage difference. It was observed that refined plate theories overestimate the lateral displacement of a plate. Hence, three-dimensional analysis is recommended for thick plate analysis.