Three-dimensional exact elasticity solutions for antisymmetric angle-ply laminated composite plates

This paper is concerned with the derivation of the benchmark three-dimensional exact solutions for the static analysis of rectangular antisymmetric angle ply plates. The expressions for the exact solutions of displacements and stresses can be used in a straight forward manner to find the numerical results for any fiber orientation angle. It has been explored that the expressions for the exact solutions of displacements and stresses in the square antisymmetric angle-ply plates with 45° fiber orientation angle cannot be used for other fiber orientation angles and vice versa. Comparison of the exact solutions with the analytical solutions employing the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) reveals that the FSDT can be efficiently used for thin and two layered thick antisymmetric angle-ply plates.