Vibration analysis of anisotropic simply supported plates by using variable kinematic and rayleigh-ritz method

This work deals with accurate free-vibration analysis of anisotropic, simply supported plates of square planform. Refined plate theories, which include layer-wise, equivalent single layer and zig-zag models, with increasing number of displacement variables are take into account. Linear up to fourth N-order expansion, in the thickness layer-plate direction have been implemented for the introduced displacement field. Rayleigh-Ritz method based on principle of virtual displacement is derived in the framework of Carrera's unified formulation. Regular symmetric angle-ply and cross-ply laminates are addressed. Convergence studies are made in order to demonstrate that accurate results are obtained by using a set of trigonometric functions. The effects of the various parameters (material, number of layers, and fiber orientation) upon the frequencies and mode shapes are discussed. Numerical results are compared with available results in literature.