Vibrations analysis of antisymmetric/symmetric laminated composite plates via refined simplified nth-higher-order shear deformation theory

In this contribution, the vibration behavior of laminated composite plates is studied using the refined simplified nth-higher-order shear deformation theory (RSHSDT). Thus, the dimensionless fundamental frequency obtained for the first vibration mode of the antisymmetric cross-ply and angle-ply laminates composite plates was calculated. In this study, we discuss the effect of the degree of orthotropy which is defined by the ratio of Young's moduli of two different directions, the effect of the geometry and the thickness of the plate, the number and of the stacking sequence of the layers, and the orientation angle of the fibers of the component layers. Finally, to evaluate the effect of shear deformation in the free vibration behavior of laminated composite plates, the numerical results obtained by the present theory are compared with those corresponding to the classical laminated plate theory (CLPT) which is considered a special case of this theory when the shear component of transverse displacement to zero. The results of this theory show good agreement with those predicted by shear deformation theories available in the literature in predicting vibration responses.