Stress and buckling analyses of laminates with a cutout using a {3, 0}-plate theory

A semianalytical solution method to predict stress field and structural bifurcation in laminates having a cutout by employing a simple {3, 0}-plate theory is presented. The stress analysis includes both inplane and bending stress fields. In this theory, the in-plane and out-of-plane displacement fields are respectively assumed in the forms of cubic and uniform through-the-thickness expansions. The cubic expansion ensures the correct behavior of transverse shear deformations while satisfying the condition of zero transverse shear stresses at the laminate faces. The equations of equilibrium for the stress and buckling analysis are derived based on the principle of stationary potential energy. Comparison against the classical laminate and {1, 2}-plate theories proves this semianalytical method credible.