Three-dimensional solutions for transversally isotropic composite plates

By adopting Kane and Mindlinʹs assumption that the through-the-thickness extensional strain is uniform through the plate thickness, a generalised plane-strain theory is developed for transversely isotropic plates. The three-dimensional governing equations are successfully reduced to two coupled equations in the two-dimensional space. With the new theory, explicit solutions of the three-dimensional stresses, especially the through-the-thickness component, around a circular hole and a circular inclusion are derived.