Stress analysis of bimodulus laminates using hybrid stress plate elements

Based on first-order plate theory, a hybrid stress bimodulus Mindlin plate element is developed in this paper. Both the displacement and stress distributions of bimodulus laminated plates are determined. Since the neutral surface deviates from the geometric midplane, an iterative technique is adopted. Compared to the analytical solutions, the present results are better than those of displacement-based higher-order plate models, although only first,order theory is incorporated herein: © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.