Nonlinear transient analysis of rectangular composite laminated plates

The semi-analytical finite strip method is developed for the analysis of the geometrically nonlinear response to dynamic loading of rectangular composite laminated plates. The plates have simply supported ends and their properties are evaluated in the context of first-order shear deformation plate theory. The applied loading acts normal to the plate surface but otherwise may be of a general nature with respect to space and time. Solution to the nonlinear dynamic problem is obtained through use of the Newmark timestepping scheme in association with Newton-Raphson iteration. Applications are described which relate to isotropic and orthotropic plates, and to laminates. In general a close comparison is demonstrated between the predictions of the developed finite strip approach and those of a finite element method.