A model of composite laminated Reddy plate based on new modified couple stress theory

Abstract Based on new modified couple stress theory a model for composite laminated Reddy plate is developed in first time. In this theory a new curvature tensor is defined for establishing the constitutive relations of laminated plate. The characterization of anisotropy is incorporated into higher-order laminated plate theories based on the modified couple stress theory by Yang et al. in 2002. The form of new curvature tensor is asymmetric, however it can result in same as the symmetric curvature tensor in the isotropic elasticity. The present model of thick plate can be viewed as a simplified couple stress theory in engineering mechanics. Moreover, a more simplified model for cross-ply composite laminated Reddy plate of couple stress theory with one material’s length constant is used to demonstrate the scale effects. Numerical results show that the present plate model can capture the scale effects of microstructure. Additionally, the present model of thick plate model can be degenerated to the model of composite cross-ply laminated Kirchhoff plate and Mindlin plate of couple stress theory.