Transversely Loaded Anisotropic Composite Plates Undergoing Large Deflection

The complex nature of the anisotropic plate bending problems undergoing large deflection necessitates the need for an efficient approach. The generalized matrix-form formulation proposed herein is based on the Ritz method to handle bending of rectangular anisotropic thin plates undergoing large deflection. This matrix formulation is then encoded in a Mathematica program that provides an automated solution for the problem. The derived matrix-form formulation and the developed code are tested by two numerical examples of composite laminated plates involving different degrees of anisotropy. In both examples, the accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the present results with FEM and the available results from the literature. The results of the investigated plates showed the effect of extension–shear and bending–twisting couplings on the symmetry of the deflection, bending moments, and in-plane forces.