Nonlocal third-order shear deformation theory for analysis of laminated plates considering surface stress effects

In this work, analytical solutions are presented for laminated composite plates using a nonlocal third-order shear deformation theory considering the surface stress effects. The theory is based on Eringen’s theory of nonlocal continuum mechanics (Eringen and Edelen, 1972) and the third-order plate theory of Reddy (1984, 2004). The mathematical formulation for surface stress is based on Gurtin and Murdoch’s work (Gurtin and Murdoch, 1975, 1978). Analytical solutions of bending and vibration of simply supported laminated and isotropic plates are presented using new formulation to illustrate the effects of nonlocality and surface stress on deflection and vibration frequencies for various span-to-thickness ratios (a/h).