Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

www.elsevier.com/locate/compstruct

A unied formulation to assess theories of multilayered plates

for various bending problems
Erasmo Carrera *, Angelo Ciureda
Department of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy
Available online 11 August 2004

Abstract
This work uses a unied formulation to compare about 40 theories for multilayered, composites and sandwich plates which are
loaded by transverse pressure with various in-plane distributions (harmonic, constant, triangular and tent-like). So-called equivalent
single layer models (ESLMs), which preserve the number of the unknown variables to be independent by the number of layers, as
well as layer-wise models (LWMs) are considered in both framework of principle of virtual displacement (PVD) and Reissner Mixed
Variational Theorem (RMVT). Murakamis Zig-Zag Function is used to introduce zig-zag (ZZ) eects while independent assumptions for transverse stresses (both shear and normal components) are used to enforce interlaminar continuity (IC) between two adjacent layers. Linear and higher order expansions (fourth-order) are introduced for displacements and stresses in the thickness plate
directions. The fundamental eects of transverse strain is evaluated for most of the considered analyses. The whole modeling has
been herein written by employing a unied formulation recently proposed by the rst author. As a results a large number of classical
and advanced theories for laminated structures are formulated and the related governing equations are written in terms of so-called
fundamental nuclei with only nine terms each. Navier-type, closed form solutions of these equations are presented for orthotropic
plates by expanding the applied pressure loading in Fourier series. A number of conclusions have been traced as far as performance
and limitations of compared theories is concerned. Quoted results could be used as benchmarks to assess available theories not considered in this paper as well as approximated solution techniques, such as nite element applications.
2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Multilayered plates; Classical theories; Advanced theories; Benchmarks; Distributed loadings; Localized loadings; Numerical assessment

1. Introduction
Layered structures are increasingly used in aerospace,
automotive and ship vehicles. The most common and
best known examples of multilayered structures are
sandwich panels as well as panels made by advanced
composite materials. Nowadays there are examples of
ghter and commercial aircraft, helicopter and gliders
whose structures are entirely made of composite materials. Other examples of layered structures are: thermal

Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 11 546 6836; fax: +39 11 564

6899.
E-mail address: erasmo.carrera@polito.it (E. Carrera).
0263-8223/$ - see front matter 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.compstruct.2004.07.003

protected structures in which layers with high thermal

properties are used as thermal skins; biomedical retina;
advanced optical mirrors; and semiconductor technologies. A more recent example of layered structures is that
of intelligent structures that embed piezo-layers and
which are used as sensors and/or actuators to build a
closed loop controlled smart system.
The analysis, design and construction of layered
structures is of a cumbersome subject. So many dierent, complicated and new problems arise to add to those
that are already known for traditional one layered, isotropic structures. Processing and manufacturing, characterization and properties, mechanical behavior,
joints, damage and repair, fatigue etc, are some examples of these topics. A review on these topics with

272

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

Fig. 1. Examples of multilayered structures.

literature has recently been provided by Bogdanovich

and Sierakowsky [1].
As far as two dimensional modeling is concerned,
that is the subject of this paper, the main task of multilayered constructions is related to the possibility of
exhibiting dierent mechanicalphysical properties in
the thickness, direction z (see Fig. 1) In addition, anisotropic multilayered structures often exhibit both higher
transverse shear and transverse normal exibilities, with
respect to in-plane deformability, than traditional isotropic one-layered ones. For instance, laminated structures made of advanced composite materials presently
used in aerospace structures could exhibit high values
of Youngs moduli orthotropic ratio (EL/ET = EL/
Ez = 540, where L denotes the ber directions while T
and z are two directions orthogonal to L) and the low
transverse shear moduli ratio (GLT/ET
GTT/ET =
1/101/200) leading to higher transverse shear and transverse normal stress deformabilities than in isotropic
cases. Furthermore, transverse discontinuous mechanical properties cause displacement elds u = (ux, uy, uz)
(bold letters denote arrays) in the thickness direction
which can exhibit a rapid change of their slopes in correspondence to each layer interface. This is known as the

Fig. 2. C 0z -Requirements. Comparison of transverse stress eld

between a one-layer structure and a four-layer structures.

zig-zag eects (ZZ). Nevertheless transverse stresses

rn = (rxz, ryz, rzz), for equilibrium reasons, must fulll
interlaminar continuity (IC) at each layer interface. Fig.
2 shows, from a qualitative point of view, how the scenarios of displacement u and transverse stress rn distributions in a multilayered structure could appear in the
exact solution and/or experiments. Both displacement
and transverse stresses are C0-continuous functions in
the thickness z direction. u and rn have, in the most general case, discontinuous rst derivatives with correspondence to each interface where the mechanical
properties change. In [2] ZZ and IC were referred to
as C 0z -requirements. The fulllment of C 0z -requirements
is a crucial point of two dimensional modeling of multilayered structures.
Many renements of classical models have been proposed directed to overcome limitation of classical theories and to include partially or completely the above
mentioned C 0z -requirements in the formulations. The
rst and most relevant works belong to the Russian literature. Among these one should mention the pioneering works by Lekhnitskii [3,4] and by Ambartsumian
[57]. An historical review on that subject has been recently proposed by Carrera [8]. However, a complete
and exhaustive discussion of the several contributions
appeared in literature has been covered by recent
state-of-the-art articles. Among these one can mention
the papers [922].
However, most of articles in which a rened theory
for laminated plates is proposed, restricted the numerical comparison to classical plate theories, such as Classical Lamination Theory (CLT) and First-order Shear
Deformation Theory (FSDT), and to available threedimensional (3D) solutions. In some cases other rened
theories are included in the comparison. Such a restriction does not oer to the readers a complete overview and assessment of a given rened theory.
Furthermore, most of these articles restrict the presented numerical assessment to those problems for
which a 3D elasticity solution is available, such as those
given by Pagano [23,24]. The present work aims to contribute to this matter by doing what at the two following
points:
(i) Enlarging the number of the theories compared for a
single problem. Thirty-seven theories are, in fact, implemented and compared in some cases. The best one coincides with a layer-wise theory (LM4) based on fourth
order expansion in each layer and Reissner mixed variational theorem (RMVT) applications. Following
Reddy [25] it is intended that the number of displacement variables is kept independent of the number of
constitutive layers in the ESL models, while the same
variables are independent in each layer for LW cases.
The less accurate one coincides with CLT. Thirty-ve
results are put in between LM4 and CLT. These last

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

cover the whole two-dimensional (2D) aspects of multilayerd plate modeling, such as the eects related to: ZZ,
IC, transverse shear and normal strains.
(ii) Considering various bending problems related to
cross-ply and sandwich plates loaded by harmonic, uniform, triangular and tent-like distributions of transverse
pressure. Some of these were not considered before.
These all could be used as desk beds to assess approximated solutions methods of a given theory, such as nite
element implementations.
In order to meet the two mentioned proposals this
paper reconsiders and extends recent rst authors ndings described in [2,2022]. A unied formulation for
classical and advanced theories were proposed in these
papers. Classical models formulated on the basis of
Principle of Virtual Displacements (PVD) and mixed
models based on RMVT were both considered. LW
and ESL models related to linear to fourth order expansion in the plate/layer thickness z-direction were implemented. ZZ, IC, transverse shear and normal strains
eects were addressed. The Navier-type closed form
solution that was in previous work restricted to harmonic distributions of transverse pressures has been
herein extend to make them suitable for the bending
problems at point (ii). This is done by expanding distributed as well as concentrated loadings in terms of appropriate Fourier series.

2.1. Hookes law

The geometry and Cartesian coordinate system x, y, z
of the multilayered plates made of Nl layers are those of
Fig. 1. The lamina are considered homogeneous and to
operate in the linear elastic range. Stiness coecients of
Hookes law for the anisotropic k-lamina are employed
in standard form.
~ ij
j where sub-indices i
The Hookes Law reads ri C
and j, ranging from 1 to 6, stand for the index couples
11, 22, 33, 13, 23 and 12, respectively. The material is as~ 14 C
~ 24
sumed to be orthotropic as specied by C
~
~
~
~
~
~
C 34 C 64 C 15 C 25 C 35 C 65 0. This implies
that rkxz and rkyz depend only on
kxz and
kyz . In matrix
form
~ k k C
~ k k
rkpH C
pp pG
pn nG

In the eld of so called axiomatic approach where a

certain displacement or stress elds are postulated in
the plate z-direction, two-dimensional theories are usually constructed accordingly to the following four steps:
I. Material behavior is assigned, i.e. Hookes Law is
given.
II. A geometrical relation, i.e. straindisplacement
relation is assumed.
III. Displacement and or stress distributions in the
thickness z plate direction are postulated by referring to a certain set of base functions;
IV. An appropriate variational statements (PVD or
RMVT) is used to establish governing equations
and boundary conditions which are variationally
consistent with the hypothesis introduced at the
previous points IIII.
Our goal is to discuss theories in the framework of
PVD and RMVT. Displacement and transverse shear
and normal stress can be assumed in such a framework.
Details of the previous steps are given in following
paragraphs.

~ k k C
~ k k
rknH C
np pG
nn nG
where
2

~k
C
11

6 k
~k 6C
C
pp
4 ~ 12
~k
C
16
2 k
~
C 44
6 k
k
~
6
~
C nn 4 C
45
0

2. Use of variational statements to develop plate theories

in a unied form in terms of a few fundamental nuclei

273

~k
C
12
~k
C
22
~k
C
26
~k
C
45
~k
C
55
0

~k
C
16

7
~k 7
;
C
26 5
~k
C
66
0

T
6
~k C
~k 60
C
pn
np
4

~k
C
13

7
~k 7
;
C
23 5
~k
C
36

7
0 7
5
k
~
C
66

Bold letters denote arrays. The superscript T signies array transposition. The subscripts n and p denote
transverse (out-of-plane, normal) and in-plane values,
respectively. Therefore
rkp frkxx ; rkyy ; rkxy g;
kp f
kxx ;
kyy ;
kxy g;

rkn frkxz ; rkyz ; rkzz g

kn f
kxz ;
kyz ;
kzz g

Subscript H denotes stresses evaluated by Hookes

law while subscript G denotes strain from the geometrical relation Eq. (3).
Eq. (1) is used in conjunction with a standard displacement formulation on the vases of PVD, while, for
the adopted mixed solution procedure, the stressstrain
relationships are conveniently put in the following
mixed form:
rkpH C kpp kpG C kpn rknM
knH C knp kpG C knn rknM

where both stiness and compliance coecients are employed. The subscript M states that the transverse stresses are those of the assumed model in Eq. (29) (see
the next sections). The relation between the arrays of
coecients in the two forms of Hookes law is simply
found

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E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

1

~k  C
~k C
~k ~k
C kpp C
pp
pn nn C np ;
1

~k C
~k ;
C knp C
nn
np

1

~k C
~k
C kpn C
pn nn
1

~k
C knn C
nn

Superscript 1 denotes an inversion of the array.

2.2. Geometrical relation
The strain components kp ; kn are linearly related to
the displacements uk fukx ; uky ; ukz g, according to the following geometrical (subscript G) relations:
kpG Dp uk ;

knG Dn uk

Dp and Dn denotes in-plane and out-of-plane dierential operators

2
3
2
3
ox 0 0
oz 0 ox
6
7
6
7
Dp 4 0 oy 0 5; Dn 4 0 oz oy 5
oy ox 0
0 0 oz
2.3. Displacement and transverse assumptions
The behavior of a displacement and/or stress variable
f are postulated in the thickness plate z-directions
according to a given expansion
f x; y; z F i z f i x; y

i 0; 1; . . . ; N

The repeated indexes i are summed over their ranges.

The polynomials Fi(z) constitute a set of independent
functions. Such a base can be arbitrarily chosen: power
of z and Legendre polynomials will be considered in this
paper. N denotes the order of the introduced expansion.
Displacement and transverse normal stress assumptions will lead to the following formula:
ux; y; z F i zui x; y;
rnM x; y; z F i zrni x; y
i 0; 1; N

Subscript M (as model) has been introduced to distinguish assumed stresses by stress computed by Hookes
law. N 6 4 will be considered in the numerical investigation. In the most general case N can be dierent for the
dierent variables, see the discussion reported in [2]. The
assumptions at Eq. (5) can be made at layer or multilayered level. LW and ESLM descriptions correspond to
rst and second case, respectively.
2.4. Governing equations via PVD and RMVT
For a multilayered plate subjected to static loadings,
PVD states
Z
Nl Z
X
T
T
dkpG rkpHd dknG rknH d dXk dz dLe
6
k1

Xk

Ak

d is the variational symbol. Ak and V denote the layerthickness domain and volume; Xk is the layer middle
surface bounded by Ck. The variation of the internal work has been split into in-plane and out-of-plane
parts and involves stress from Hookes Law and
strain from geometrical relations. dLe is the virtual variation of the work made by the external layer-forces
pk fpkx ; pky ; pkz g. Upon substitution of what at Eqs. (1),
(3) and the rst of Eq. (5) such a variational statement
will lead to a set of equilibrium equations and boundary
conditions. The equilibrium equations can be formally
put in the following compact form:
k
k
duks : K kss
d us ps

the related boundary conditions are

kss k
k
or Pkss
us
d us P d 

uks uks

The number of the obtained equations coincides with

the number of the introduced variables: s and s vary
from 0 to N and k range from 1 to Nl. K and P are arrays constitute by dierential operators.
Reissners mixed theorem [26,27], formulates both
equilibrium and compatibility in terms of the uk and
rkn unknowns via the following variational equation:
XN l Z Z
T
T
dkpG rkpH dknG rknM
k1
Xk

Ak

T
drknM knG

 knH dXk dz dLe

The LHS includes the variations of the internal work

in the plate: the rst two terms come from the displacement formulation and lead to variationally consistent
equilibrium conditions; the third mixed term variationally enforces the compatibility of the transverse strains
components. The governing equations expressed in
terms of displacement and stress variables are, in compact form
kss k
k
k
duks : K kss
uu us K ur rns ps
kss k
k
drkns : K kss
ru us K rr rns 0

10

with boundary conditions

kss k
kss k
k
kns
us Pkss
uks uks or Pkss
u us Pr rns Pu 
r r

11

In those cases in which LW descriptions are employed the written governing equations are rst derived
at the layer level. Multilayer equations are than written
by imposing the continuity requirements for stresses and
displacements. Explicit forms of arrays along with additional details are reported in the already cited Carreras
works.
2.5. Navier-type closed form solution
The boundary values problems of previous paragraph, in the most general case of geometry, boundary

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

conditions and lay-outs, could be solved by implementing only approximated solution procedures. In the particular case in which the material has orthotropic
behavior, Navier-type closed form solutions can be
found by assuming the harmonic forms for the applied
loadings and unknown variables:
X
mpx
npy
sin
ukxs ; rkxzs ; pkxs
U kx ; S kxzs ; P kxs cos
a
b
m;n
X
mpx
npy
cos
ukys ; rkyzs ; pkys
U ky ; S kyzs ; P kys sin
12
a
b

3. Theories compared in this work

As written in the introduction about 40 theories are
implemented an compared in this work. These theories
are obtained according to the following treatment of
the 2D expansions given by Eq. (5).
(a) To vary the order of the expansions from N = 1 up
to N = 4.
(b) To consider both Taylor type expansion and a combination of Legendre polynomials as F(z).
(c) By employing the Murakami Zig-Zag Function as
one of the F(z).
(d) Neglecting the linear and higher order terms in the
transverse displacement expansion related to ESLM
cases.

m;n

ukzs ; rkzzs ; pkzs

U kz ; S kzzs ; P kzs sin

m;n

mpx
npy
sin
a
b

while m and n are the correspondent wave numbers.

Capital letters in the RHS are correspondent maximum
amplitudes. On substitution of Eq. (12), the governing
equations assume the form of a linear system of algebraic equations. This procedure has been coded for the
dierent case theories and results are discussed in the
next sections.
Navier type solutions can be extended to any type of
applied loading unless an appropriate Fourier expansions is made. The Benchmarks described in the next
sections are related to various distributions of transverse
pressure pzT. The appropriate Fourier expansion to
these two cases should be written as
R;Q
X
mpx
npy
sin
pzT
pmn
zT sin
a
b
m;n

275

The various theories, written in a unied forms, are

detailed in the next subsections. Acronyms used to denote dierent theories are fully explained in the nal
subsection by the help of Fig. 4. Points 13 are also illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.
3.1. Plate theories based on displacement assumption
for PVD applications
3.1.1. CLT, Classical Lamination Theory
The simplest known plate theory is based on Kirchho thin plate assumptions, namely Classical Lamination
Theory (CLT), see [25]. Transverse shear strains as well
as transverse normal strains are neglected with respect
to in-plane ones, in the framework of CLT applications,
resulting displacement model can be written:

13

where R and Q are the maximum values of the considered m and n, while pmn
zT are the coecients of the Fourier
series (see Fig. 3).

k=N l
zk
k

x ky k

hk

z 0k
hk

x,y

k=3
k=2
k=1

Fig. 3. Plate geometry and notations.

276

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

OPTIONAL FIELDS USED

FOR ESLM MODELS
Z Zig-Zag Effects is Accounted for

TYPE OF THEORY

Layer-Wise

Equivalent-Single-Layer

ACRONYM

Interlaminar Equilibria is fulfilled

C
ORDER OF USED
FOR z-EXPANSION

TYPE OF FORMULATION

Classical based on PVD

Linear

Mixed based on RMVT

Parabolic

Cubic

Fourth-order

EXAMPLES
LD3

Layer-Wise Theory based on Classical Displacement

formulation with cubic displacement fields in the layer

Mixed Equivalent-Single-Layer with parabolic displacement

EMZC2 fields (and cubic stress fields) accounting for Zig-zag Effect
and fulfilling interlaminar transverse stresses Continuity

Fig. 4. Acronyms.

Fig. 5. Examples of ESL and LW assumptions.

Fig. 6. Linear and cubic case of MZZF.

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

ui u0i  zuz;i
uz

i x; y

14

u0z

where superscript 0 denotes values of displacement on

X. Comma denotes partial derivatives.
3.1.2. FSDT, rst-order shear deformation theory
(ED1d)
The inclusion of transverse shear strains leads to the
following form of previous equations:
ui u0i z/i
uz

i x; y

15

u0z

FSDT analyses can be seen as a particular case of

ED1 in which Eq. (17) constraints is imposed. FSDT
will be denoted also by the acronym ED1d: the sux
d denotes that transverse normal strains
zz are discarded. CLT results are in this work obtained by applying penalty technique to the shear correction factor of
ED1d analyses.
3.1.4. EDN plate theories
The displacement model of ED1 cane be easily extended to higher order Taylor expansion. Such an
expansion can be herein written in array form,
ux; y; z F 0 zu0 x; y F 1 zu1 x; y

This model is known as ReissnerMindlin plate theory, namely First-order Shear Deformation Theory,
FSDT, see [25]. It consists in a rst order Taylor-type
expansion of displacement unknowns in the neighborhood of the reference surface X. /x, /y takes therefore
the meaning of rotations of the normal to X in the
two planes x  z and y  z, respectively. These rotations
can be also expressed in terms of transverse shear
strains:
/x
xz  u3;x ;

277

/y
yz  u3;y

FSDT displacement model can be put in compact

form of Eq. (4) according to the following notations:
ux; y; z F 0 zu0 x; y F 1 zu1 x; y

F N zuN x; y

or, by introducing Einstein rule for repeated indexes,

ux; y; z F s zus x; ys 0; N

F s z zs
For convenience this displacement model is re-written
according to the following notations:
ux; y; z F t zut x; y F b zub x; y
F s zus x; ys

16

2; N

F 0 z 1; F 1 z z

where

while the displacement unknowns are

F t z 1;

uy 0 u0y ;

ux1 x; y /x ;

uy 1 /y

20

where

The polynomials assume the following values:

ux0 x; y u0x ;

19

F b z z;

21

F s z zs ;

s 2; N

With respect to Eq. (19), the constant and linear terms

have been now denoted by subscript t and b,
respectively.

uz0 x; y; u0z ;

and
uz1 x; y; 0

17

3.1.3. ED1 plate theory

Transverse normal strains can be included by removing the condition in Eq. (17). The explicit form of the
displacement model is,
ux F 0 zu0x F 1 zu1x
uy F 0 zu0y F 1 zu1y

18

uy F 0 zu0z F 1 zu1z
The related plate theory has been herein referred by
the acronym ED1: it is an ESLM with only Displacement unknowns with Taylor expansion truncated at
the rst-order N = 1.

3.1.5. EDZN cases including Murakamis ZZ function

The EDN models are not able to describe ZZ eect.
The discontinuity of the rst derivative with correspondence to the layer interfaces, in the ESLM framework,
can be introduced by employing the Murakami ZigZag function (MZZF), that was proposed in [27] in
the framework of RMVT applications.
According to Fig. 4 z is the thickness coordinates of
the whole multilayered while zk is the layer thickness coordinate. The not dimensioned layer coordinate lfk = zk/2hk is further introduced (hk is the
thickness of the kth layer). The Murakami Zig-Zag
Functions M (z) was dened according to the following
formula [27]:
k

Mz 1 fk

22

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E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

M(z) has the following properties: it is piece-wise linear function of the layer coordinates zk; M (z) has unit
amplitude for the whole layers; the slope M 0 z dM
asdz
sumes opposite sign between two-adjacent layers (its
amplitude is layer thickness dependent). A plot of
M (z) is given in Fig. 6. The displacement including
MZZF is written in the form:
k

u u0 1 fk uZ zr ur ;

r 1; 2; . . . ; N

23

Subscripts Z refers to the introduced Zig-Zag term.

Higher order distributions in the z-direction are introduced by the r-polynomials. In a unied form the displacement model is therefore rewritten
u F t ut F b ub F r ur F s us ; s t; b; r;
r 1; 2; . . . ; N

24

Subscripts b denotes values related to the plate reference surface X (ub = u0) while subscripts t is now refers
to the introduced Zig-Zag term (ut = uZ). The functions
Fs assume the following explicit form:
F b 1;

F t Mz;

F r zr ;

P 0 1;
P3

P 2 3f2k  1=2;

P 1 fk ;

5f3k 3fk

;
2
2

P4

35f4k 15f2k 3


8
8
4

The chosen functions have the following properties:

1:
F t 1; F b 0; F r 0
fk
27
1 : F t 0; F b 1; F r 0;
The top and bottom values have been used as unknown variables. The interlaminar compatibility of displacement can be therefore easily linked
k1

ukt ub

k 1;

Nl  1

28

3.2. Assumptions for displacements and transverse

stresses and RMVT applications
As stated above the advantage of using RMVT
consists in the possibility of assuming two independent
eld for displacement and transverse shear elds leads
to a priori and completely fulllment of the C 0z requirements.

r 1; 2; . . . ; N

Modication of EDN direct to include MZZF are herein

denoted as EDZN analyses. Acronym EDZNd will be
used also in this case those EDNZ theories which discard transverse strain eects.
3.1.6. LDN plate theories using Legendre polynomials
Layer-wise description requires assuming independent displacement variables in each k-layer. The thickness expansion used for ESLM cases Eq. (24) is not
convenient for layer-wise description. Interlaminar
continuity C 0z -requirements for displacements can be
more conveniently imposed by employing interface
values as unknown variables. Therefore, layer-wise
description is written according to the following
expansion:
uknM F t uknt F b uknb F r uknr F s ukns ;
s t; b; r; r 2; 3; . . . ; N ; k 1; 2; . . . ; N l

25

3.2.1. LMN plate theories: layer-wise case

The layer-wise description used for displacements is
certainly suitable for transverse stresses
uk F t ukt F b ukb F r ukr F s uks
s t; b; r; r 2; 3; . . . ; N
rknM F t rknt F b rknb F r rknr F s rkns

29

k 1; 2; . . . ; N l
The top and bottom values have also been used as unknown variables. The interlaminar transverse shear
and normal stress continuity can be therefore easily
linked
k1

rknt rnb

k 1;

Nl  1

30

In those cases in which top/bottom-shell stress values

are prescribed (zero or imposed values), the following
additional equilibrium conditions must be accounted
for:

In contrast to what in Eq. (24), it is now intended that

the subscripts t and b denote values related to the layer
top and bottom surface, respectively. In fact, they consist of the linear part of the expansion. The thickness
functions Fs(fk) have been dened by

nb ;
r1nb r

P0 P1
P0  P1
; Fb
;
2
2
F r P r  P r2 ; r 2; 3; . . . ; N

3.2.2. Equivalent single layer cases: EMC1, . . . EMC4;

EMZC1, . . . EMZC3
In order to include Zig-Zag function in the framework of ESLM analysis, the displacement eld of
EDN and EDZN theories can be adopted

Ft

26

in which Pj = Pj(fk) is the Legendre polynomial of the

j-order dened in the fk-domain: 1 6 fk 6 1. Fourthorder case will be used in the numerical investigations;
related polynomials are

nt
rNntl r

31

where the over-bar is the imposed values in correspondence to the plate boundary surfaces (these have been assumed zero in what follows).

u F t ut F b ub F r ur F s us ; s t; b; r;
r 1; 2; . . . ; N

32

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

279

While interlaminar continuous transverse shear and normal stress in the RMVT framework require to refer to
LW description for transverse stresses
rknM F t rknt F b rknb F r rknr F s rkns ;
s t; b; r;

r 2; 3; . . . ; N ;

k 1; 2; . . . ; N l

33

Note that ESLM description has herein restricted to to

displacement variables. In practice stress variables can
be eliminated by static condensation or by employing
technique described in [2]. EMCd and EMZCd plate
theories are the particular cases of EMZCN ones in
which transverse normal strains are discarded.
3.3. Summary of the considered theories
Depending on the used variational statements (PVD
or RMVT), variables description (LW or ESL), order
of the used expansion N, inclusion or not of transverse
normal strains
zz, use or not of Murakami ZZ function,
etc., a number of two-dimensional theories can be constructed. Acronyms have been extensively used to denote shortly these theories. Fig. 5 shows how such
acronyms have been built. The following facts can be
remarked.
 EDN plate theories are not able to describe ZZ and
IC.
 EDNZ plate theories include ZZ eect but they do
not describe IC.
 LDN theories includes ZZ but they do not describe
IC.
 LMN and EMZCN plate theories include both ZZ
IC.
 EMC plate theories include IC and discard ZZ eects.
 EDNd, EDNZNd, EMCNd, EMZCNd plate theories discard transverse strain eects.

4. Numerical results and discussion

A large numerical investigation has been conducted
to assess the various plate theories. Several stacking sequence, geometries and loading conditions have been
considered so far. The most interesting results are discussed in the next sections. These are related to the six
dierent plate problems which are discussed in the following subsections, respectively.
4.1. Problem I: cross-ply plate in cylindrical bending
loaded by harmonic distribution of transverse pressure
Two stacking sequences are considered: Nl = 3 corresponding to symmetrically laminated case (0/90/0);
Nl = 4 corresponding to anti-symmetrically laminated

Fig. 7. Problem I: plate in cylindrical bending due to harmonic

distribution of transverse pressure.

case (0/90/0/90). Laminae have equal thickness. The

mechanical characteristic of the lamina, with usual notation [25] are

Table 1
Problem I: comparison of various plate theories on transverse
displacement
a/h = 4

3D[23]
LM4
LM3
LM2
LM1
EMZC3
EMZC2
EMZC1
EMZC3d
EMZC2d
EMZC1d
EMC4
EMC3
EMC2
EMC1
EMC3d
EMC2d
EMC1d
EMC1d
LD4
LD3
LD2
LD1
EDZ3
EDZ2
EDZ1
EDZ3d
EDZ2d
EDZ1d
ED4
ED3
ED2
ED1
ED4d
ED3d
ED2d
FSDT
CLT

a/h = 6

Nl = 3

Nl = 4

Nl = 3

Nl = 4

2.887
2.887
2.887
2.891
3.539
2.881
2.831
2.904
2.898
2.848
2.904
2.721
2.744
2.244
3.515
2.717
2.744
2.109
2.196
2.887
2.887
2.864
2.783
2.876
2.781
2.798
2.893
2.798
2.798
2.684
2.687
2.074
2.091
2.703
2.703
2.090
2.091
0.5075

4.181
4.181
4.181
4.181
4.710
4.102
3.478
3.300
4.124
3.488
3.306
3.885
3.696
3.158
3.681
3.869
3.660
3.029
3.142
4.180
4.180
4.165
4.058
4.089
3.377
3.170
4.110
3.392
3.177
3.830
3.595
2.984
2.924
3.842
3.606
2.988
2.924
1.115

1.635
1.625
1.635
1.635
1.880
1.634
1.602
1.634
1.637
1.602
1.634
1.534
1.543
1.284
1.844
1.529
1.542
1.225
1.258
1.634
1.634
1.629
1.583
1.633
1.583
1.586
1.636
1.586
1.586
1.514
1.514
1.219
1.209
1.517
1.517
1.211
1.211
0.5075

2.556
2.556
2.556
2.556
2.803
2.514
2.195
2.095
2.516
2.195
2.098
2.391
2.285
2.031
2.257
2.381
2.268
1.972
2.014
2.556
2.556
2.553
2.495
2.506
2.150
2.037
2.507
2.149
2.040
2.361
2.238
1.952
1.917
2.361
2.238
1.950
1.919
1.115

280

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

EL
GLT GLz
25;

0:5;
ET
ET
ET
tLT tLz tTT 0:25:

GTT
0:2;
ET

The harmonic distribution of transverse pressure is applied to the top surface (see Fig. 7)
pzT 
pzT sin

px
a

Transverse displacement amplitude has been put in notdimensioned according to the following formula:
 z U z 100ET h
U
p z a4

Thirty-seven theories have been compared to 3D exact

solution in Table 1 for two thick plate cases.The following comments can be made:
1. Dierences among dierent theories can be quite relevant. LM4 and CLT represent the most and the
worst accurate result, respectively. Thirty-ve theories are put in between. Better accuracy is usually
obtained according to the following scale:
LM > LD > EMZC > EDZ > EMC > ED > CLT;
where the symbol > would signify is better than.
2. LW analyses lead to 3D description of displacement
elds. Mixed models (LM) based on RMVT applications are more accurate than LD ones, which are
based on PVD applications.
3. LWMs lead to better description than ESLM
ones.
4. An increasing of the order of the expansion N leads
to improvements. Exception should be made for
LM1 cases which has a linear distribution of transverse stresses. LM1 shows therefore diculties to
impose topbottom plate homogeneous conditions
on transverse stresses.
5. As expected, PVD models always lead to lower displacement than 3D solutions. RMVT models, being
mixed, could also lead to higher values than 3D
solutions.
6. The comparison between EMZC (that include both
IC and ZZ) and EMC (that only include IC) results
make evident the role played by ZZ eects with
respect to IC one in the framework of RMVT
applications.
7. Transverse strains eects has been outlined for
ESLMs which refer to Taylor-type expansions
(LWMs would require the introduction of constraint
equations via Lagrange multipliers, that has not
been implemented in this stage.)
8. RMVT is very eective especially as far as ESLMs is
concerned, that is EMZC results are much better
than ED ones.
9. EMZC3 gives the best ESLM description.

10. The use of Murakami Zig-Zag function leads to signicant improvements in the PVD formulated theories: EDZ results are better than corresponding
EDN ones.
11. Accuracy of LWMs is scarcely inuenced by plate
lay-outs.
12. The accuracy of LWMs increases by increasing the
number of the constitutive layers Nl.
13. The accuracy of ESLM results can be very much
inuenced by stacking sequence of the bers.
Unsymmetrically laminated plates require higher
order expansion. To notice the signicant role
played by even terms of the Taylor expansion in
unsymmetrically laminated plates. Unsymmetrically
laminated plates, in fact, couple in-plane and out-ofplane strains, therefore even terms makes benet for
these plates.
Distribution of transverse displacement in the thickness direction is given in Fig. 8. Nine signicant theories
are compared. The following remarks are made:
14. Dierences among dierent theories are very much
subordinate to z values. Dierences among dierent
theories that have been registered in Table 1 for
z = 0 can increases very much by varying the z
values.
15. As expected, theories which neglects transverse normal strains lead to constant distribution of transverse displacement in the plate thickness.
Comments 115 will be all conrmed by subsequent
analyses.

3.2

3.1

LM4
LD4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
EDZ3d
EM4
ED4
ED4d

2.9

2.8

2.7

2.6

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

 z a=2 vs. z. Comparison of dierent theories. a/

Fig. 8. Problem I: U
h = 4,b = aNl = 3.

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

281

4.2. Problem II. Cross-ply plate loaded by biharmonic

distribution of transverse pressure
A cross-ply plate loaded by bi-harmonic distribution
of transverse pressure

px

py 
P z pz sin
sin
a
b
has been plotted in Fig. 9. Transverse shear stresses have
been put in not-dimensioned form according to the
following,
S xz
Sxz
pz a=h
Plate with dierent geometries and lay-up are considered
in Tables 2 and 3 and Figs. 1012. Transverse shear
stresses have been calculated by integration of 3D indefinite equations. A rectangular plate, symmetrically lam-

Fig. 9. Problem II: plate loaded by bi-harmonic distribution of

transverse pressure.

inated, made by layers with geometrical/mechanical

properties of Problem I are given in Table 2 and Fig.
10. The same theories that were compared in Table 1
have been considered in Table 2 to compute transverse displacements and transverse shear stresses for

Table 2
 a=2; b=2; 0 and transverse shear stress Sxz 0; b=2 (b = 3a)
Problem II: comparison of dierent theories to evaluates transverse displacement U
a/h

3D [23]
LM4
LM3
LM2
LM1
EMZC3
EMZC2
EMZC1
EMZC3d
EMZC2d
EMZC1d
EMC4
EMC3
EMC2
EMC1
EMC4d
EMC3d
EMC2d
EMC1d
LD4
LD3
LD2
LD1
EDZ3
EDZ2
EDZ1
EDZ3d
EDZ2d
EDZ1d
ED4
ED3
ED2
ED1
ED4d
ED3d
ED2d
FSDT
CLT

Sxz

z
U
4

10

20

2.820
2.821
2.821
2.825
3.447
2.815
2.767
2.839
2.832
2.784
2.839
2.660
2.682
2.200
3.424
2.656
2.683
2.069
2.154
2.821
2.821
2.798
2.720
2.810
2.719
2.736
2.827
2.736
2.736
2.625
2.627
2.035
2.051
2.644
2.644
2.051
2.051
0.501

0.919
0.919
0.919
0.919
1.014
0.919
0.906
0.915
0.918
0.904
0.915
0.876
0.878
0.779
0.974
0.873
0.878
0.758
0.767
0.919
0.919
0.918
0.898
0.918
0.899
0.897
0.917
0.897
0.897
0.866
0.866
0.750
0.750
0.866
0.866
0.750
0.750
0.501

0.610
0.610
0.610
0.609
0.660
0.609
0.606
0.606
0.607
0.604
0.606
0.597
0.598
0.572
0.619
0.597
0.598
0.567
0.567
0.609
0.609
0.609
0.604
0.609
0.604
0.602
0.607
0.602
0.602
0.595
0.595
0.565
0.565
0.593
0.593
0.563
0.563
0.501

0.387
0.386
0.387
0.386
0.371
0.385
0.393
0.399
0.386
0.393
0.394
0.373
0.375
0.436
0.433
0.375
0.374
0.436
0.436
0.384
0.384
0.384
0.392
0.384
0.394
0.398
0.386
0.394
0.394
0.377
0.377
0.436
0.436
0.377
0.377
0.436
0.436
0.439

0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.27
0.23
0.23
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.23
0.27
0.23
0.23
0.27
0.23
0.23
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

10

20

0.420
0.420
0.420
0.420
0.474
0.420
0.421
0.420
0.420
0.421
0.420
0.426
0.426
0.438
0.438
0.427
0.427
0.439
0.439
0.420
0.420
0.420
0.421
0.420
0.421
0.421
0.420
0.421
0.421
0.427
0.427
0.438
0.438
0.427
0.427
0.438
0.438
0.439

0.434
0.434
0.434
0.434
0.476
0.434
0.435
0.434
0.434
0.435
0.434
0.436
0.434
0.439
0.439
0.436
0.436
0.439
0.439
0.434
0.434
0.434
0.435
0.434
0.435
0.434
0.434
0.43
0.434
0.436
0.436
0.439
0.439
0.436
0.436
0.439
0.439
0.439

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E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

Table 3
Problem II: comparison of various theories to evaluate in-plane rxx/p(a/2,b/2), transverse shear rxz/p(0, b/2) and normal rzz/p (a/2, b/2) stresses of a
square plate
z

LM4
LM3
LM2
LM1
EMZC3
EMZC2
EMZC1
EMZC3d
EMZC2d
EMZC1d
EMC4
EMC3
EMC2
EMC1
EMC4d
EMC3d
EMC2d
EMC1d
LD4
LD3
LD2
LD1
EDZ3
EDZ2
EDZ1
EDZ3d
EDZ2d
EDZ1d
ED4
ED3
ED2
ED1
ED4d
ED3d
ED2d
FSDT
CLT

0/90/0

0/90/0/90

rxx/p
+0.5

rxz/p
0

rzz/p
0

rxx/p
0.5

rxz/p
0

rzz/p
0

15.52
15.35
15.03
10.29
15.71
14.27
13.86
15.28
14.12
14.17
15.40
15.46
11.25
10.32
15.39
15.52
11.34
10.96
15.52
15.52
15.33
14.27
15.69
14.28
13.85
15.31
14.14
14.14
15.39
15.51
11.35
10.98
15.36
15.36
11.17
11.17
13.48

1.374
1.374
1.375
1.723
1.358
1.370
1.362
1.355
1.367
1.363
1.366
1.362
1.436
1.373
1.365
1.359
1.447
1.442
1.374
1.373
1.357
1.369
1.357
1.367
1.363
1.354
1.363
1.363
1.366
1.360
1.447
1.443
1.358
1.358
1.443
1.443
1.691

0.4987
0.4987
0.5250
0.5853
0.4984
0.5096
0.5043
0.5012
0.5092
0.5241
0.4968
0.4983
0.5309
0.6121
0.4983
0.4990
0.4990
0.4900
0.4982
0.4982
0.4982
0.4945
0.4973
0.4999
0.4808
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000
0.4977
0.4978
0.4977
0.4840
0.4977
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000

15.02
14.86
14.59
9.046
14.67
11.02
12.61
14.81
11.15
12.60
15.21
14.13
10.15
12.26
15.06
14.24
10.80
12.25
15.02
15.02
14.99
13.86
14.70
11.16
12.62
14.85
11.29
12.61
15.05
14.22
10.80
12.25
15.30
14.38
10.93
12.22
12.22

1.293
1.293
1.294
1.437
1.307
1.356
1.386
1.313
1.367
1.391
1.305
1.324
1.373
1.386
1.307
1.325
1.375
1.385
1.293
1.293
1.290
1.301
1.307
1.356
1.386
1.314
1.368
1.391
1.307
1.325
1.375
1.385
1.320
1.345
1.395
1.402
1.402

0.4956
0.4985
0.5078
0.6477
0.4938
0.5129
0.5157
0.4987
0.5180
0.5320
0.4941
0.4973
0.5287
0.5855
0.4963
0.4981
0.4978
0.4930
0.4955
0.4955
0.4954
0.4952
0.4955
0.4953
0.4839
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000
0.4953
0.4959
0.4956
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000
0.5000

three values of plate thickness parameters. The following additional comments can be added to those made
for Table 1 analyses.
16. Dierences among theories vanish by a/h increasing.
17. Dierences among dierent theories increases for
transverse stress evaluation.
18. Dierent theories could wrongly predict the location
in z of the maximum stress values.
Transverse shear stress distribution of dierent theories
have been compared in Fig. 10 for dierent value of
thickness parameters (which has been written in parenthesis). In-plane, transverse shear and normal stresses
are compared in Table 3. The same theories considered

in the previous Tables 1 and 2 are reconsidered. A

square plate thick plate, with symmetrical (0/90/0) and
unsymmetrical (0/90/0/90) cross-ply laminated has been
considered (the inner layer of the rst case has thinness
double than th external ones in the 0/90/0 case). The
lamina have the following mechanical properties:
EL
GLT GLz
GTT
30;

0:5;
0:35;
ET
ET
ET
ET
tLT tLz 0:3; tTT 0:49:
The comments made for Table 1 discussion are conrmed. Figs. 11 and 12 shows in-plane and transverse
shear stress distribution of Table 3 problems. Selected
theories are compared in the left part while the
eects of N has been analyzed on the right part. To notice that

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

0.6

283

0.6
(a)

(b)

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3
LM4(4)
LM4(10)
LM4(100)
EM4(4)
EM4(10)
EM4(100)
EMZC3(4)
EMZC3(10)
EMZC3(100)

0.2

0.1

0
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

LD4(4)
LD4(10)
LD4(100)
ED4(4)
ED4(10)
ED4(100)
EDZC3(4)
EDZC3(10)
EDZC3(100)

0.2

0.1

0
0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 10. Problem II: Sxz 0; b=2 vs z. RMVT theories (a) and PVD theories (b). Rectangular plate with three layers.

15

10

LM4
LD4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
EDZ3d
EM4
ED4
ED4d

15

LM4
LM1
LD4
LD1
EM4
EM1
ED4
ED1

10

-5

-5

-10

-10
(a)

-15

(b)
-15

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 11. Problem II: Sxx a=2; b=2 vs. z. Comparison between PVD and RMVT theories (a) and eects of the order of expansion N (b). Square plate
(a/h = 5) with three layers.

19. The cross-ply symmetrically-laminates plate (Fig.

12) shows a non-symmetric distribution of transverse shear stresses. This is caused by transverse
normal stain eects. In fact, theories which neglects
transverse strains are not able to improve the displacement as well as stress distribution in the whole
plate thickness. This is a intrinsic limitation of any
ESLM theories that neglects transverse normal
strains of the plate.

4.3. Problem III: cross-ply plate loaded by transverse

distribution of constant pressure
A square plate loaded by transverse distribution of
constant pressure (Fig. 13)
pzT pz
has been considered in Tables 47 and Figs. 1419.
Only selected theories are compared in these tables

284

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

1.6

(a)

1.6

1.4

1.4

1.2

1.2
LM4
LD4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
EDZ3d
EM4
ED4
ED4d

1
0.8
0.6
0.4

(b)

LM4
LM1
LD4
LD1
EM4
EM1
ED4
ED1

1
0.8
0.6
0.4

0.2

0.2

0
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 12. Problem II: Sxz 0; b=2 vs z. Comparison between PVD and RMVT theories (a) and eects of the order of expansion N (b). Square plate
(a/h = 5) with three layers.

Table 4
Problem III: convergence rate of Fourier series on transverse
 z a=2; b=2; 0 and in-plane stress Sxx a=2; b=2; h=2 of
displacement U
a square plate with three layers (0/90/0)
R, Q

Fig. 13. Sketch of Problem III.

and gures. A preliminary study on the convergence rate

of Fourier series has been made in Table 4. Thin and
thick plates are considered. Three layered plate (0/90/
0) of Problem I is referred to. The quoted results
permit to conclude that the values corresponding
to R = Q = 25 can be taken as convergent solutions.
The following not-dimensioned values have been
considered:
Sxx

S xx

; Syy

S yy

;
pz a=h
pz a=h2
S xy 
S yz
S zz
; Szz
S
Sxy
2 yz
pz a=h
pz a=h
pz a=h
2

The eects of thickness parameter on in-plane and

out-plane stresses have been analyzed in Table 6.
Trough the thickness distribution of thick and thin
plates of displacement and stresses are given in Figs.
1416. It is conrmed that results merge in thin plate
cases. Dierence among the selected theories are
very much subordinate to z values in the thick plate
cases. Non-symmetric distribution of transverse shear

Sxx

z
U
10

25

50

10

25

50

a/h = 4
LM3
LD3
EMZC3
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

3.0456
3.0457
3.0376
3.0346
2.8695
2.3366

3.0444
3.0446
3.0366
3.0366
2.8685
2.3344

3.0444
3.0446
3.0366
3.0337
2.8685
2.3343

1.1299
1.1300
1.1383
1.1372
1.1091
0.6654

1.1173
1.1174
1.1310
1.1300
1.1012
0.6648

1.1154
1.1156
1.1300
1.1291
1.1002
0.6648

a/h = 10
LM3
LD3
EMZC3
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

1.1545
1.1545
1.1547
1.1547
1.0953
0.9550

1.1541
1.1541
1.1543
1.1544
1.0949
0.9546

1.1541
1.1541
1.1543
1.1544
1.0949
0.9546

0.8739
0.8739
0.8752
0.8750
0.8624
0.7738

0.8708
0.8708
0.8726
0.8725
0.8598
0.7733

0.8702
0.8702
0.8722
0.8721
0.8594
0.7733

a/h = 100
LM3
LD3
EMZC3
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6706
0.6619

0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6705
0.6618

0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6705
0.6618

0.8088
0.8088
0.8089
0.8089
0.8087
0.8041

0.8083
0.8083
0.8083
0.8084
0.8082
0.8037

0.8083
0.8083
0.8083
0.8084
0.8082
0.8037

stresses, see comment no. 19, are clearly evident in

Fig. 16. Such asymmetry cannot be traced by EMZC3d
theory which discards transverse normal strain eects.
An unsymmetrically laminated square plates has been

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

Table 5
Problem III: eect of thickness ratio on selected plate theories to
 z a=2; b=2; 0 of a square plate
evaluate transverse displacements U
with three layers (0/90/0)
a/h

10

100

LM3
LD3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

3.0444
3.0446
3.0366
3.0489
3.0366
2.8685
2.3344
2.3344
0.6588

1.1541
1.1541
1.1543
1.1462
1.1544
1.0949
0.9546
0.9546
0.6588

0.6713
0.6713
0.6713
0.6640
0.6713
0.6705
0.6618
0.6618
0.6588

285

Table 7
Problem III: transverse displacement and various stresses of a square
plate with four layers (0/90/0/90)
a/h

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
EDZ3d
ED4
ED4d
ED1
FSDT
CLT

z
U
2.9679
2.9203
2.9493
2.9179
2.9462
2.7053
2.7254
2.1096
2.1100
0.79764

10
1.1817
1.1701
1.1620
1.1693
1.1612
1.1241
1.1158
1.0068
1.0068
0.79764

100

10

100

0.8123
0.8122
0.8013
0.8122
0.8012
0.8117
0.8008
0.7997
0.7997
0.79764

Sxx
0.1141
0.1211
0.1036
0.1119
0.1034
0.1071
0.1008
0.06449
0.05781
0.05897

0.06356
0.06315
0.06571
0.06309
0.06565
0.06230
0.06501
0.05704
0.05850
0.05897

0.05420
0.05419
0.05903
0.05419
0.05903
0.05433
0.05902
0.05897
0.05896
0.05897

0.05827
0.05775
0.05797
0.05764
0.05787
0.05663
0.05742
0.04713
0.04630
0.04365

0.04453
0.04451
0.04392
0.04451
0.04392
0.04448
0.04389
0.04372
0.04371
0.04365

1.0498
1.0477
1.0478
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495
1.0494

1.0507
1.0493
1.0493
1.0507
1.0507
1.0507
1.0507
1.0507
1.0507

Syy
Table 6
Problem III: comparison of selected theories to evaluate in-plane and
out of-plane shear stresses for a square plate with three layers (0/90/0)
a/h

LM3
LD3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZC3
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

Sxx
1.1173
1.1174
1.1310
1.1188
1.1300
1.1012
0.6648
0.6676
0.8040

10
0.8708
0.8708
0.8726
0.8691
0.8725
0.8598
0.7733
0.7733
0.8040

100

10

100

0.8083
0.8083
0.8084
0.8048
0.8084
0.8082
0.8037
0.8037
0.8040

Sxy
0.09734
0.09726
0.10495
0.10617
0.10456
0.08895
0.07259
0.06923
0.04189

0.05974
0.05973
0.06005
0.06008
0.05998
0.05764
0.05022
0.04943
0.04189

0.04285
0.04286
0.04285
0.04219
0.04285
0.04282
0.04205
0.04202
0.04189

0.40175
0.39820
0.40685
0.41822
0.40873
0.38584
0.41507
0.41507
0.38426

0.38521
0.38520
0.38571
0.38413
0.38579
0.38570
0.38457
0.38457
0.38426

Sxz
LM3
LD3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZC3
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

0.44354
0.44343
0.43536
0.44831
0.43226
0.46395
0.64669
0.64669
0.72116

Syz
0.62787
0.62784
0.62537
0.62623
0.62444
0.64328
0.70600
0.70600
0.72116

0.72009
0.72009
0.72003
0.71789
0.72001
0.72120
0.72096
0.72096
0.72116

0.49563
0.48399
0.48213
0.54174
0.48625
0.41427
0.53125
0.53125
0.38426

addressed in Table 7 and Figs. 1719. Transverse

normal stress distribution is given in Fig. 19. Same
comments of the Problem I and II can be made.
Furthermore,
20. Being Problem III, rarely considered in literature,
the results that have been quoted in Tables 47
and Figs. 1419 could be used to asses computational models of multilayered plates.
4.4. Problem IV: sandwich plate loaded by uniform
distribution of transverse pressure
Sandwich plates are characterized by a weak core between sti faces. Such a properties makes predominant

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
EDZ3d
ED4
ED4d
ED1
FSDT
CLT

1.0109
1.0144
1.0084
1.0145
1.0084
0.9809
0.9788
0.7197
0.7175
0.7333

Sxy
0.7739
0.7718
0.7705
0.7717
0.7704
0.7654
0.7643
0.7262
0.7262
0.7333

0.7371
0.7371
0.7336
0.7371
0.7336
0.7373
0.7336
0.7332
0.7332
0.7333

Sxz
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
EDZ3d
ED4
ED4d
ED1
FSDT
CLT

0.4209
0.4111
0.4437
0.4091
0.4426
0.4424
0.4731
0.5573
0.5911
0.6073

0.08913
0.09164
0.09562
0.09112
0.09519
0.08197
0.09453
0.05294
0.04915
0.04365
Szz

0.5295
0.5285
0.5369
0.5279
0.5366
0.5421
0.5513
0.5926
0.6021
0.6073

0.6058
0.6061
0.6050
0.6061
0.6050
0.6069
0.6058
0.6073
0.6073
0.6073

1.0492
1.0479
1.0481
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495
1.0495

the eect related to transverse normal deformability.

First a square plate is considered. It consists of a two
skins with equal thickness (0.1h) with the following
mechanical properties:
E1
25;
E2

G12 G13

0:5;
E2
E2

G23
0:2;
E2

t12 0:25

while the inner layer, the weak core, has 0.8h and the following mechanical properties:
E1
1;
E2

G13 G23

0:06;
E2
E2

G12
0:016;
E2

t12 0:25

Selected theories are compared for various values of

thickness parameters in Table 8. In-plane and transverse
shear stress distributions for thin and thick plates are
compared in Figs. 20 and 21. The following comments
can be made:

286

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

3.2

0.672

3.1

0.671

0.67
0.669

2.9

LM3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.668

2.8

0.667
LM3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

2.7
2.6
2.5

0.666
0.665
0.664

2.4

0.663
(a)

2.3
2.2

(b)

0.662
0.661

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

 z a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with three layers (0/90/0).
Fig. 14. Problem III: U

1
1

(a)

0.8

(b)
LM3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.6
0.5

0.4
0.2

0
-0.2
LM3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

-0.5

-1
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 15. Problem III: Sxx a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with three layers (0/90/0).

21. The weak core causes an increase of the dierences

among dierent theories in thick plate cases with
respect to results related to multilayered plates discussed in Problems IIII.
22. The transverse shear strain eects is extremely
important in this cases. EMZ3d show a symmetric
distribution of transverse shear stresses which is contrasted by high transverse normal deformability of
the core.

A rectangular sandwich plates has been addressed in

Figs. 22 and 23 and Tables 9 and 10. This is a moderately thick, unsymmetrically laminated, rectangular
sandwich plate loaded by a uniform distribution
pzT =  0.1 MPa of transverse pressure applied to the
whole top surface. The plate geometrical parameters
hold: a = 100 mm, b = 200 mm, h = 12 mm. The faces,
of same material, have dierent thicknesses: top face
thickness is h3 = 0.1 mm, bottom face thickness is

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

0.8

0.8
(a)

(b)

0.7

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3
LM3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.2
0.1
0

287

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

LM3
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.2
0.1

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 16. Problem III: Sxz 0; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with three layers (0/90/0).

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4

0.8
(a)

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

0.6
0.4

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

(b)

0.2

0.2
0
0
-0.2

-0.2
-0.4

-0.4

-0.6
-0.6

-0.8
-1

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.8

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 17. Problem III: Syy a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with four layers (0/90/0/90).

h1 = 0.5 mm. The core thickness is h1 = 11.4 [mm]. The

two faces have the following material datas:
Ex 70; 000 MPa;

Ey 71; 000 MPa;

Ez 69; 000 MPa;

Exz 26; 000 MPa;

Eyz 26; 000 MPa;

Eyz 26; 000 MPa;

mxz myz myz 0:3:

The core consists of metallic foam which has the following mechanical datas:
Ex Ey 3 MPa;

Ez 2:8 MPa;

Exz Eyz Eyz

1 MPamxz myz myz 0:25:

This sandwich problem has been originated by modifying the benchmark problem that was originally
proposed by MeyerPiening [28] and then extended in
[29] and [30]. Fig. 22 shows the distribution of in-plane

288

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

0.7

0.7

(a)

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

(b)

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

0.2

0.1

0
-0.4

-0.2

0.2

0.1

0
z

0.2

0.4

0
-0.4

-0.2

0.2

0.4

Fig. 18. Problem III: Sxz 0; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with four layers (0/90/0/90).

1.2

1.2
(a)

(b)

0.8

0.8

0.6

0.6

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

0.4

0.2

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
EDZ3
ED4
ED1

0.4

0.2

0
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 19. Problem III: Szz a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with four layers (0/90/0/90).

Table 8
Problem IV: square sandwich plates
a/h

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

Sxx

z
U

Sxz

10

100

10

100

10

100

10.682
10.678
10.626
9.909
5.542
5.636
1.2103

3.083
3.082
3.026
2.923
1.982
1.984
1.2103

1.262
1.262
1.230
1.260
1.218
1.218
1.2103

1.902
1.899
1.915
1.929
1.145
1.168
1.476

1.509
1.507
1.480
1.519
1.388
1.391
1.476

1.505
1.504
1.476
1.506
1.475
1.476
1.476

0.4074
0.3949
0.4031
0.3574
0.5249
0.5249
0.5878

0.5276
0.5239
0.5224
0.5104
0.5716
0.5716
0.5878

0.5889
0.5886
0.5865
0.5881
0.5876
0.5876
0.5878

 z a=2; b=2; 0 and in-plane Sxx a=2; b=2; h=2 and out-of-plane stress Sxz 0; b=2; 0.
Selected theories analyses on transverse displacements U

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

2
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

(a)
1.5
1

1.5
1
0.5

-0.5

-0.5

-1

-1

-1.5

-1.5

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

(b)

0.5

-2

289

0.4

-2

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 20. Problem IV: Sxx a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square sandwich plate.

0.7

0.7
(a)

(b)

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.3

0.3
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.2
0.1
0

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.2
0.1
0

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 21. Problem IV: Sxz 0; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square sandwich plate.

stresses in the sandwich thickness related to selected

theories. Faces have been detailed in Fig. 23. Local
values with correspondence top/bottom surfaces of the
two faces have been written in Table 10. The following
comments can be made:
23. Very accurate models are required to capture the
stress distribution in the two faces (LMN and
EMZC3 should be conveniently used).
24. Even though a moderately thick plate is considered
(a/h = 100/12), lower order theories such as ED1,
FSDT and CLT are completely wrong.

25. Sandwich plates with weak core required more accurate two-dimensional modeling with respect to multilayered plates with same geometrical parameters,
such as those analyzed in Problems IIII.
4.5. Problem V: cross-ply square plate loaded by
triangular distribution of transverse pressure
The plate already considered in Problem II is now
loaded by triangular distribution of transverse pressure
(Fig. 24)

290

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

Table 9
Problem IV: sandwich rectangular plate

2000
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED1
ED1d

1500
1000

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED1
ED1d
CLT

500

Top skin

Bottom skin

9.142
7.364
7.266
0.1022
0.1020
0.09471

8.968
7.298
7.266
0.1020
0.1020
0.09471

Transverse displacements uz [mm] at the plate center.

0
-500

Table 10
Problem IV: sandwich rectangular plate

-1000

-1500
-6

-4

-2

0
z

LM4

Fig. 22. Problem IV: rx x(a/2,b/2) vs. z. Rectangular sandwich plates.

P z pz

EMZC3
EMZC3d

x
a

34
ED1

Results related this benchmark problems have been

given in Figs. 25 and 26 and Table 11. A symmetrically
laminated plate has been considered. Comments made
for Problems IIII are conrmed. Problems V and VI
could be used to assess future computational implementation of rened theories, with respect to known Problems IIV.

FSDT
CLT

top
bot
top
bot
top
bot
top
bot
top
bot
top
bot

Top skin
ryy [MPa]

rxx [MPa]

ryy [MPa]

112.4
48.435
118.31
39.678
111.8
51.805
89.63
88.715
89.569
88.655
89.579
88.665

52.824
23.320
62.524
11.43
63.329
31.525
51.453
50.932
51.023
50.502
51.013
50.492

133.21
166.27
119.31
151.8
133.19
166.35
15.508
20.008
15.568
20.14
15.570
20.142

54.327
69.915
57.554
71.429
69.842
88.944
8.4375
11.041
8.8672
11.431
8.8654
11.469

In-plane stress rxx and ryy at the plate center.

P z pz 2xa ;


P z pz 2  2xa

4.6. Problem VI: cross-ply square plate loaded by

tent-like distribution of transverse pressure
The plate already considered in Problem II is now
loaded by bi-triangular or tent-like distribution of
transverse pressure (Fig. 24),
0

Bottom skin

rxx [MPa]

if 0 6 x 6 a2
if

a
2

35

<x6a

Results related this benchmark problems have been

given in Figs. 27 and 28 and Table 12. A anti-symmetrically laminated plate has been considered. Comments
made for Problems IIII are conrmed (see Fig. 29).
2000

faccia superiore
-200

faccia inferiore

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED1
ED1d

1500
1000

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED1
ED1d

-400
500
-600
0
-800
-500
-1000

-1200
5.88

-1000

5.9

5.92

5.94
z

5.96

5.98

-1500
-6

-5.9

-5.8

-5.7
z

-5.6

-5.5

Fig. 23. Problems IV: detail of rx x(a/2,b/2) vs. z in two the faces. Rectangular sandwich plates.

-5.4

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

291

5. Concluding remarks
By means of a unied formulation this paper has
compared about forty theories for multilayered plates.
Classical theories with only displacement unknowns
have been compared to advanced theories formulated
on the basis of Reissner Mixed Variational Theorem.
Both layer-wise and equivalent single layer description
have been adopted. Theories which deal with Zig-Zag,
Interlaminar Continuity, transverse normal strain eects

Fig. 24. Sketch of Problem V.

0.6

0.5
(a)

0.4
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.4

0.2

(b)

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.3
0.2
0.1

0
-0.1

-0.2

-0.2
-0.3

-0.4

-0.4
-0.6

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.5

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 25. Problem V: Sxx a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with three layers (0/90/0).

0.3

0.3
(a)

(b)

0.25

0.25

0.2

0.2

0.15

0.15

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.1

0.05

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.1

0.05

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 26. Problem V: Sxz 0; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with three layers (0/90/0).

292

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

Table 11
Problem V: comparison among selected theories on transverse
displacement and stress amplitudes

Table 12
Problem VI: comparison among selected theories on transverse
displacement and stress amplitudes

a/h

a/h

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

z
U
1.5222
1.5183
1.5245
1.3996
1.1672
1.1672
0.3293

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

z
U
1.9802
1.9453
1.9692
1.8083
1.4181
1.4155
0.51287

10
0.5771
0.5772
0.5731
0.5452
0.4773
0.4773
0.3293

100

0.3356
0.3356
0.3320
0.3353
0.3310
0.3309
0.3293

Sxx
0.5592
0.5655
0.5594
0.5506
0.3324
0.3338
0.4201

Sxz
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

10
0.4355
0.4363
0.4345
0.4299
0.3866
0.3869
0.4201

100
0.4042
0.4042
0.4024
0.4041
0.4019
0.4019
0.4201

0.2281
0.2282
0.2273
0.2326
0.2394
0.2394
0.2490

0.2499
0.2499
0.2887
0.2499
0.2489
0.2489
0.2490

0.5244
0.5264
0.5266
0.5248
0.5248
0.5248

0.7754
0.7676
0.7626
0.7369
0.6572
0.6571
0.51287

100

10

100

0.5225
0.5224
0.5154
0.5221
0.5143
0.5143
0.51287

Sxx
0.09555
0.09369
0.08111
0.09052
0.04598
0.03968
0.04396

0.04797
0.04753
0.04857
0.04679
0.04121
0.04121
0.04396

0.03727
0.03727
0.04049
0.03735
0.04037
0.04039
0.04396

0.3742
0.3800
0.3750
0.3877
0.4351
0.4273
0.4276

0.4261
0.4263
0.4255
0.4270
0.4278
0.4276
0.4276

Sxz

Szz

0.1656
0.1648
0.1652
0.1796
0.2106
0.2106
0.2490

10

0.5248
0.5245
0.5247
0.5248
0.5248
0.5248

0.5252
0.5247
0.5247
0.5252
0.5252
0.5252

Square plate with three layers (0/90/0).

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1
FSDT
CLT

Syz

0.2239
0.2273
0.2297
0.2371
0.2600
0.2628
0.2697

0.2596
0.2605
0.2602
0.2624
0.2669
0.2629
0.2697

0.2701
0.2701
0.2696
0.2702
0.2698
0.2697
0.2697

0.3132
0.3168
0.3098
0.3198
0.4556
0.4270
0.4276

Square plate with three layers (0/90/0/90).

are considered and compared. Various bending problems have been considered encompassing composites
cross-ply and sandwich plates with various geometries
and lay-outs. Results have been given for harmonic
and constant distributions of transverse pressure as well
as for triangular and tent like distribution cases. A number of conclusions have been remarked which give a
quite exhaustive overview of the possibilities of various
theories to trace global and local response of laminated
and sandwich plates.
Fig. 27. Sketch of Problem VI.

0.8

0.5
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.6
0.4

0.4
0.3
0.2

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.1

0.2

0
0
-0.1
-0.2

-0.2
-0.3

-0.4

-0.4
-0.6
-0.8

(a)
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.5
-0.6

(b)
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 28. Problem VI: Sxx a=2; b=2 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with four layers (0/90/0/90).

E. Carrera, A. Ciureda / Composite Structures 69 (2005) 271293

0.5
0.45

0.5
(a)

0.45

0.4

0.4

0.35

0.35

0.3

0.3

0.25

0.25
LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.2
0.15
0.1

(b)

LM4
EMZC3
EMZC3d
ED4
ED1

0.2
0.15
0.1

0.05
0

293

0.05
-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

-0.4

-0.2

0
z

0.2

0.4

Fig. 29. Problem VI: Syz a=2; 0 vs. z. Thick (a/h = 4, a) and thin (a/h = 100, b) plates. Square plate with four layers (0/90/0/90).

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