Strain-displacement (kinematic) equations for plates, cylindrical and spherical shells March 25, 2026
The discussion presented by Castro Castro, 2015 Castro, 2025 is herein expanded and detailed. A general overview from the full elasticity theory to the main equivalent single-layer (ESL) theories is given, for plates and shells, including cylindrical, conical and spherical. The ESL theories discussed are Classical Laminated Plate Theory (CLPT), First- and Third-order Shear Deformation Theories (FSDT and TSDT). Engineering shear strains are used throughout the discussion (γ i j = 2 ε i j \gamma_{ij}=2\varepsilon_{ij} γ ij = 2 ε ij ).
1 General strain-displacement relations ¶ According to the three-dimensional (3D) elasticity theory, the strain components referred to an arbitrary orthogonal coordinate system x 1 x_1 x 1 ,x 2 x_2 x 2 , x 3 x_3 x 3 , illustrated in Figure 1
Figure 1: Complete stress state of a material point.
can be written as Castro, 2015 :
ϵ 11 = 1 2 ( ( e 13 2 − ω 2 ) 2 + ( e 12 2 + ω 3 ) 2 + e 11 2 ) + e 11 ϵ 22 = 1 2 ( ( e 23 2 + ω 1 ) 2 + ( e 12 2 − ω 3 ) 2 + e 22 2 ) + e 22 ϵ 33 = 1 2 ( ( e 23 2 − ω 1 ) 2 + ( e 13 2 + ω 2 ) 2 + e 33 2 ) + e 33 ϵ 12 = ( e 23 2 + ω 1 ) ( e 13 2 − ω 2 ) + e 11 ( e 12 2 − ω 3 ) + e 22 ( e 12 2 + ω 3 ) + e 12 ϵ 13 = e 33 ( e 13 2 − ω 2 ) + e 11 ( e 13 2 + ω 2 ) + ( e 23 2 − ω 1 ) ( e 12 2 + ω 3 ) + e 13 ϵ 23 = e 22 ( e 23 2 − ω 1 ) + e 33 ( e 23 2 + ω 1 ) + ( e 13 2 + ω 2 ) ( e 12 2 − ω 3 ) + e 23 \begin{split}
\epsilon_{11} = \frac{1}{2}\left( \left( \frac{e_{13}}{2} - \omega_{2} \right)^{2} + \left( \frac{e_{12}}{2} + \omega_{3} \right)^{2} + e_{11}^{2} \right) + e_{11} \\
\epsilon_{22} = \frac{1}{2}\left( \left( \frac{e_{23}}{2} + \omega_{1} \right)^{2} + \left( \frac{e_{12}}{2} - \omega_{3} \right)^{2} + e_{22}^{2} \right) + e_{22} \\
\epsilon_{33} = \frac{1}{2}\left( \left( \frac{e_{23}}{2} - \omega_{1} \right)^{2} + \left( \frac{e_{13}}{2} + \omega_{2} \right)^{2} + e_{33}^{2} \right) + e_{33} \\
\epsilon_{12} = \left( \frac{e_{23}}{2} + \omega_{1} \right) \left( \frac{e_{13}}{2} - \omega_{2} \right) + e_{11} \left( \frac{e_{12}}{2} - \omega_{3} \right) + e_{22} \left( \frac{e_{12}}{2} + \omega_{3} \right) + e_{12} \\
\epsilon_{13} = e_{33} \left( \frac{e_{13}}{2} - \omega_{2} \right) + e_{11} \left( \frac{e_{13}}{2} + \omega_{2} \right) + \left( \frac{e_{23}}{2} - \omega_{1} \right) \left( \frac{e_{12}}{2} + \omega_{3} \right) + e_{13} \\
\epsilon_{23} = e_{22} \left( \frac{e_{23}}{2} - \omega_{1} \right) + e_{33} \left( \frac{e_{23}}{2} + \omega_{1} \right) + \left( \frac{e_{13}}{2} + \omega_{2} \right) \left( \frac{e_{12}}{2} - \omega_{3} \right) + e_{23}
\end{split} ϵ 11 = 2 1 ( ( 2 e 13 − ω 2 ) 2 + ( 2 e 12 + ω 3 ) 2 + e 11 2 ) + e 11 ϵ 22 = 2 1 ( ( 2 e 23 + ω 1 ) 2 + ( 2 e 12 − ω 3 ) 2 + e 22 2 ) + e 22 ϵ 33 = 2 1 ( ( 2 e 23 − ω 1 ) 2 + ( 2 e 13 + ω 2 ) 2 + e 33 2 ) + e 33 ϵ 12 = ( 2 e 23 + ω 1 ) ( 2 e 13 − ω 2 ) + e 11 ( 2 e 12 − ω 3 ) + e 22 ( 2 e 12 + ω 3 ) + e 12 ϵ 13 = e 33 ( 2 e 13 − ω 2 ) + e 11 ( 2 e 13 + ω 2 ) + ( 2 e 23 − ω 1 ) ( 2 e 12 + ω 3 ) + e 13 ϵ 23 = e 22 ( 2 e 23 − ω 1 ) + e 33 ( 2 e 23 + ω 1 ) + ( 2 e 13 + ω 2 ) ( 2 e 12 − ω 3 ) + e 23 where the parameters ϵ i j \epsilon_ij ϵ i j and ω i \omega_i ω i are (the conventional notation for partial derivatives ∂ / ∂ x \partial/\partial x ∂ / ∂ x is used here for the sake of clarity) the following (Castro (2015) ), with u u u , v v v , w w w being the displacements along directions x 1 x_1 x 1 , x 2 x_2 x 2 , x 3 x_3 x 3 , respectively:
e 11 = 1 H 1 ∂ u ∂ x 1 + v H 1 H 2 ∂ H 1 ∂ x 2 + w H 1 H 3 ∂ H 1 ∂ x 3 e 22 = u H 1 H 2 ∂ H 2 ∂ x 1 + 1 H 2 ∂ v ∂ x 2 + w H 2 H 3 ∂ H 2 ∂ x 3 e 33 = u H 1 H 3 ∂ H 3 ∂ x 1 + v H 2 H 3 ∂ H 3 ∂ x 2 + 1 H 3 ∂ w ∂ x 3 e 12 = H 1 H 2 ∂ ∂ x 2 ( u H 1 ) + H 2 H 1 ∂ ∂ x 1 ( v H 2 ) e 13 = H 1 H 3 ∂ ∂ x 3 ( u H 1 ) + H 3 H 1 ∂ ∂ x 1 ( w H 3 ) e 23 = H 2 H 3 ∂ ∂ x 3 ( v H 2 ) + H 3 H 2 ∂ ∂ x 2 ( w H 3 ) ω 1 = ∂ ( H 3 w ) ∂ x 2 − ∂ ( H 2 v ) ∂ x 3 2 ( H 2 H 3 ) ω 2 = ∂ ( H 1 u ) ∂ x 3 − ∂ ( H 3 w ) ∂ x 1 2 ( H 1 H 3 ) ω 3 = ∂ ( H 2 v ) ∂ x 1 − ∂ ( H 1 u ) ∂ x 2 2 ( H 1 H 2 ) H 1 = ( X 1 , x 1 ) 2 + ( X 2 , x 1 ) 2 + ( X 3 , x 1 ) 2 H 2 = ( X 1 , x 2 ) 2 + ( X 2 , x 2 ) 2 + ( X 3 , x 2 ) 2 H 3 = ( X 1 , x 3 ) 2 + ( X 2 , x 3 ) 2 + ( X 3 , x 3 ) 2 \begin{split}
e_{11} = \frac{1}{H_{1}}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x_{1}} + \frac{v}{H_{1}H_{2}} \frac{\partial H_{1}}{\partial x_{2}} + \frac{w}{H_{1}H_{3}} \frac{\partial H_{1}}{\partial x_{3}} \\
e_{22} = \frac{u}{H_{1}H_{2}} \frac{\partial H_{2}}{\partial x_{1}} + \frac{1}{H_{2}}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x_{2}} + \frac{w}{H_{2}H_{3}} \frac{\partial H_{2}}{\partial x_{3}} \\
e_{33} = \frac{u}{H_{1}H_{3}} \frac{\partial H_{3}}{\partial x_{1}} + \frac{v}{H_{2}H_{3}} \frac{\partial H_{3}}{\partial x_{2}} + \frac{1}{H_{3}}\frac{\partial w}{\partial x_{3}} \\
e_{12} = \frac{H_{1}}{H_{2}}\frac{\partial}{\partial x_{2}}\left(\frac{u}{H_{1}}\right) + \frac{H_{2}}{H_{1}}\frac{\partial}{\partial x_{1}}\left(\frac{v}{H_{2}}\right) \\
e_{13} = \frac{H_{1}}{H_{3}} \frac{\partial}{\partial x_{3}}\left(\frac{u}{H_{1}}\right) + \frac{H_{3}}{H_{1}} \frac{\partial}{\partial x_{1}}\left(\frac{w}{H_{3}}\right)\\
e_{23} = \frac{H_{2}}{H_{3}} \frac{\partial}{\partial x_{3}}\left(\frac{v}{H_{2}}\right) + \frac{H_{3}}{H_{2}} \frac{\partial}{\partial x_{2}}\left(\frac{w}{H_{3}}\right) \\
\omega_{1} = \frac{\frac{\partial (H_{3}w)}{\partial x_{2}} - \frac{\partial (H_{2}v)}{\partial x_{3}}}{2(H_{2}H_{3})} \\
\omega_{2} = \frac{\frac{\partial (H_{1}u)}{\partial x_{3}} - \frac{\partial (H_{3}w)}{\partial x_{1}}}{2(H_{1}H_{3})} \\
\omega_{3} = \frac{\frac{\partial (H_{2}v)}{\partial x_{1}} - \frac{\partial (H_{1}u)}{\partial x_{2}}}{2(H_{1}H_{2})} \\
H_{1} = \sqrt{(X_{1,x_{1}})^{2} + (X_{2,x_{1}})^{2} + (X_{3,x_{1}})^{2}} \\
H_{2} = \sqrt{(X_{1,x_{2}})^{2} + (X_{2,x_{2}})^{2} + (X_{3,x_{2}})^{2}} \\
H_{3} = \sqrt{(X_{1,x_{3}})^{2} + (X_{2,x_{3}})^{2} + (X_{3,x_{3}})^{2}}
\end{split} e 11 = H 1 1 ∂ x 1 ∂ u + H 1 H 2 v ∂ x 2 ∂ H 1 + H 1 H 3 w ∂ x 3 ∂ H 1 e 22 = H 1 H 2 u ∂ x 1 ∂ H 2 + H 2 1 ∂ x 2 ∂ v + H 2 H 3 w ∂ x 3 ∂ H 2 e 33 = H 1 H 3 u ∂ x 1 ∂ H 3 + H 2 H 3 v ∂ x 2 ∂ H 3 + H 3 1 ∂ x 3 ∂ w e 12 = H 2 H 1 ∂ x 2 ∂ ( H 1 u ) + H 1 H 2 ∂ x 1 ∂ ( H 2 v ) e 13 = H 3 H 1 ∂ x 3 ∂ ( H 1 u ) + H 1 H 3 ∂ x 1 ∂ ( H 3 w ) e 23 = H 3 H 2 ∂ x 3 ∂ ( H 2 v ) + H 2 H 3 ∂ x 2 ∂ ( H 3 w ) ω 1 = 2 ( H 2 H 3 ) ∂ x 2 ∂ ( H 3 w ) − ∂ x 3 ∂ ( H 2 v ) ω 2 = 2 ( H 1 H 3 ) ∂ x 3 ∂ ( H 1 u ) − ∂ x 1 ∂ ( H 3 w ) ω 3 = 2 ( H 1 H 2 ) ∂ x 1 ∂ ( H 2 v ) − ∂ x 2 ∂ ( H 1 u ) H 1 = ( X 1 , x 1 ) 2 + ( X 2 , x 1 ) 2 + ( X 3 , x 1 ) 2 H 2 = ( X 1 , x 2 ) 2 + ( X 2 , x 2 ) 2 + ( X 3 , x 2 ) 2 H 3 = ( X 1 , x 3 ) 2 + ( X 2 , x 3 ) 2 + ( X 3 , x 3 ) 2 2 3D kinematic equations for plates ¶ Figure Figure 2 shows the local and global coordinates of a plate.
Figure 2: Plate domain.
from where the following coordinate relations can be obtained:
x 1 = x X 1 = x x 2 = y X 2 = y x 3 = z X 3 = z \begin{split}
x_{1} = x \quad X_{1} = x \\
x_{2} = y \quad X_{2} = y \\
x_{3} = z \quad X_{3} = z
\end{split} x 1 = x X 1 = x x 2 = y X 2 = y x 3 = z X 3 = z Defining:
ε x x = ϵ 11 γ x y = 2 ε x y = ϵ 12 ε y y = ϵ 22 γ x z = 2 ε x z = ϵ 13 ε z z = ϵ 33 γ y z = 2 ε y z = ϵ 23 \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = \epsilon_{11} \quad \gamma_{xy} = 2\varepsilon_{xy} = \epsilon_{12} \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = \epsilon_{22} \quad \gamma_{xz} = 2\varepsilon_{xz} = \epsilon_{13} \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = \epsilon_{33} \quad \gamma_{yz} = 2\varepsilon_{yz} = \epsilon_{23}
\end{split} ε xx = ϵ 11 γ x y = 2 ε x y = ϵ 12 ε yy = ϵ 22 γ x z = 2 ε x z = ϵ 13 ε zz = ϵ 33 γ yz = 2 ε yz = ϵ 23 We have that:
ε x x = u , x + 1 2 ( u , x 2 + v , x 2 + w , x 2 ) ε y y = v , y + 1 2 ( u , y 2 + v , y 2 + w , y 2 ) ε z z = w , z + 1 2 ( u , z 2 + v , z 2 + w , z 2 ) γ x y = u , y + v , x + ( u , x u , y + v , x v , y + w , x w , y ) γ x z = u , z + w , x + ( u , x u , z + v , x v , z + w , x w , z ) γ y z = v , z + w , y + ( u , y u , z + v , y v , z + w , y w , z ) \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} + \frac{1}{2}(u_{,x}^{2} + v_{,x}^{2} + w_{,x}^{2}) \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = v_{,y} + \frac{1}{2}(u_{,y}^{2} + v_{,y}^{2} + w_{,y}^{2}) \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = w_{,z} + \frac{1}{2}(u_{,z}^{2} + v_{,z}^{2} + w_{,z}^{2}) \\
\gamma_{xy} = u_{,y} + v_{,x} + (u_{,x}u_{,y} + v_{,x}v_{,y} + w_{,x}w_{,y}) \\
\gamma_{xz} = u_{,z} + w_{,x} + (u_{,x}u_{,z} + v_{,x}v_{,z} + w_{,x}w_{,z}) \\
\gamma_{yz} = v_{,z} + w_{,y} + (u_{,y}u_{,z} + v_{,y}v_{,z} + w_{,y}w_{,z})
\end{split} ε xx = u , x + 2 1 ( u , x 2 + v , x 2 + w , x 2 ) ε yy = v , y + 2 1 ( u , y 2 + v , y 2 + w , y 2 ) ε zz = w , z + 2 1 ( u , z 2 + v , z 2 + w , z 2 ) γ x y = u , y + v , x + ( u , x u , y + v , x v , y + w , x w , y ) γ x z = u , z + w , x + ( u , x u , z + v , x v , z + w , x w , z ) γ yz = v , z + w , y + ( u , y u , z + v , y v , z + w , y w , z ) 3 3D kinematic equations for cylindrical shells ¶ Figure Figure 3 shows the local and global coordinates of a cylindrical shell.
Figure 3: Cylindrical shell domain.
from where the following geometric relations can be derived Castro, 2015 :
x 1 = x X 1 = R ( z ) cos ( θ ) x 2 = θ X 2 = R ( z ) sin ( θ ) x 3 = z X 3 = − x \begin{split}
x_{1} = x \quad X_{1} = R(z) \cos(\theta) \\
x_{2} = \theta \quad X_{2} = R(z) \sin(\theta) \\
x_{3} = z \quad X_{3} = -x
\end{split} x 1 = x X 1 = R ( z ) cos ( θ ) x 2 = θ X 2 = R ( z ) sin ( θ ) x 3 = z X 3 = − x Defining:
ε x x = ϵ 11 γ x θ = 2 ε x θ = ϵ 12 ε θ θ = ϵ 22 γ x z = 2 ε x z = ϵ 13 ε z z = ϵ 33 γ θ z = 2 ε θ z = ϵ 23 \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = \epsilon_{11} \quad \gamma_{x\theta} = 2\varepsilon_{x\theta} = \epsilon_{12} \\
\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} = \epsilon_{22} \quad \gamma_{xz} = 2\varepsilon_{xz} = \epsilon_{13} \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = \epsilon_{33} \quad \gamma_{\theta z} = 2\varepsilon_{\theta z} = \epsilon_{23}
\end{split} ε xx = ϵ 11 γ x θ = 2 ε x θ = ϵ 12 ε θθ = ϵ 22 γ x z = 2 ε x z = ϵ 13 ε zz = ϵ 33 γ θ z = 2 ε θ z = ϵ 23 we have that, considering only the linear terms :
ε x x = u , x ε θ θ = v , θ R ( z ) + w R ( z ) ε z z = w , z γ x θ = u , θ R ( z ) + v , x γ x z = u , z + w , x γ θ z = v , z + w , θ R ( z ) − v R ( z ) \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} \\
\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} = \frac{v_{,\theta}}{R(z)} + \frac{w}{R(z)} \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = w_{,z} \\
\gamma_{x\theta} = \frac{u_{,\theta}}{R(z)} + v_{,x} \\
\gamma_{xz} = u_{,z} + w_{,x} \\
\gamma_{\theta z} = v_{,z} + \frac{w_{,\theta}}{R(z)} - \frac{v}{R(z)}
\end{split} ε xx = u , x ε θθ = R ( z ) v , θ + R ( z ) w ε zz = w , z γ x θ = R ( z ) u , θ + v , x γ x z = u , z + w , x γ θ z = v , z + R ( z ) w , θ − R ( z ) v These equations represent the linear part of the strain-displacement relations (small strain/small displacement). The terms containing R ( z ) R(z) R ( z ) in the denominators account for the curvature of the coordinate system. Specifically, the w R ( z ) \frac{w}{R(z)} R ( z ) w term in ε θ θ \varepsilon_{\theta\theta} ε θθ represents the “hoop strain” contribution from radial displacement.
4 3D kinematic equations for conical shells ¶ Figure Figure 4 shows the local and global coordinates of a conical shell, adapted from Castro et al. Castro et al. , 2014 Castro et al. , 2015 Castro et al. , 2015 Castro, 2015 .
Figure 4: Conical shell domain.
from where the following geometric relations can be derived Castro, 2015 :
x 1 = x X 1 = R ( x , z ) cos θ x 2 = θ X 2 = R ( x , z ) sin θ x 3 = z X 3 = z sin α − x cos α R ( x , z ) = R 2 + x sin α + z cos α \begin{split}
x_{1} = x \quad X_{1} = R(x, z) \cos \theta \\
x_{2} = \theta \quad X_{2} = R(x, z) \sin \theta \\
x_{3} = z \quad X_{3} = z \sin \alpha - x \cos \alpha \\
R(x,z) = R_2 + x \sin \alpha + z \cos \alpha
\end{split} x 1 = x X 1 = R ( x , z ) cos θ x 2 = θ X 2 = R ( x , z ) sin θ x 3 = z X 3 = z sin α − x cos α R ( x , z ) = R 2 + x sin α + z cos α Defining:
ε x x = ϵ 11 γ x θ = 2 ε x θ = ϵ 12 ε θ θ = ϵ 22 γ x z = 2 ε x z = ϵ 13 ε z z = ϵ 33 γ θ z = 2 ε θ z = ϵ 23 \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = \epsilon_{11} \quad \gamma_{x\theta} = 2\varepsilon_{x\theta} = \epsilon_{12} \\
\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} = \epsilon_{22} \quad \gamma_{xz} = 2\varepsilon_{xz} = \epsilon_{13} \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = \epsilon_{33} \quad \gamma_{\theta z} = 2\varepsilon_{\theta z} = \epsilon_{23}
\end{split} ε xx = ϵ 11 γ x θ = 2 ε x θ = ϵ 12 ε θθ = ϵ 22 γ x z = 2 ε x z = ϵ 13 ε zz = ϵ 33 γ θ z = 2 ε θ z = ϵ 23 we have that, considering only the linear terms :
ε x x = u , x ε θ θ = v , θ R ( x , z ) + u sin α R ( x , z ) + w cos α R ( x , z ) ε z z = w , z γ x θ = u , θ R ( x , z ) + v , x − v sin α R ( x , z ) γ x z = w , x + u , z γ θ z = w , θ R ( x , z ) + v , z − v cos α R ( x , z ) \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} \\
\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} = \frac{v_{,\theta}}{R(x, z)} + \frac{u \sin \alpha}{R(x, z)} + \frac{w \cos \alpha}{R(x, z)} \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = w_{,z} \\
\gamma_{x\theta} = \frac{u_{,\theta}}{R(x, z)} + v_{,x} - \frac{v \sin \alpha}{R(x, z)} \\
\gamma_{xz} = w_{,x} + u_{,z} \\
\gamma_{\theta z} = \frac{w_{,\theta}}{R(x, z)} + v_{,z} - \frac{v \cos \alpha}{R(x, z)}
\end{split} ε xx = u , x ε θθ = R ( x , z ) v , θ + R ( x , z ) u sin α + R ( x , z ) w cos α ε zz = w , z γ x θ = R ( x , z ) u , θ + v , x − R ( x , z ) v sin α γ x z = w , x + u , z γ θ z = R ( x , z ) w , θ + v , z − R ( x , z ) v cos α The sin α \sin \alpha sin α and cos α \cos \alpha cos α terms represent the coupling between in-plane and out-of-plane displacements caused by the surface curvature and its slope.
5 3D kinematic equations for spherical shells ¶ Figure Figure 5 shows the local and global coordinates of a spherical shell.
Figure 5: Spherical shell domain.
from where the following geometric relations can be derived:
x 1 = ϕ X 1 = R ( z ) cos ϕ cos θ x 2 = θ X 2 = R ( z ) sin ϕ cos θ x 3 = z X 3 = R ( z ) sin θ R ( z ) = r + z \begin{split}
x_{1} = \phi \quad X_{1} = R(z) \cos \phi \cos \theta \\
x_{2} = \theta \quad X_{2} = R(z) \sin \phi \cos \theta \\
x_{3} = z \quad X_{3} = R(z) \sin \theta \\
R(z) = r + z
\end{split} x 1 = ϕ X 1 = R ( z ) cos ϕ cos θ x 2 = θ X 2 = R ( z ) sin ϕ cos θ x 3 = z X 3 = R ( z ) sin θ R ( z ) = r + z where ϕ \phi ϕ is the longitude, θ \theta θ the latitude, and the radius R R R is a function of the third coordinate z z z . Defining:
ε ϕ ϕ = ϵ 11 γ ϕ θ = 2 ε ϕ θ = ϵ 12 ε θ θ = ϵ 22 γ ϕ z = 2 ε ϕ z = ϵ 13 ε z z = ϵ 33 γ θ z = 2 ε θ z = ϵ 23 \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{\phi\phi} = \epsilon_{11} \quad \gamma_{\phi\theta} = 2\varepsilon_{\phi\theta} = \epsilon_{12} \\
\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} = \epsilon_{22} \quad \gamma_{\phi z} = 2\varepsilon_{\phi z} = \epsilon_{13} \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = \epsilon_{33} \quad \gamma_{\theta z} = 2\varepsilon_{\theta z} = \epsilon_{23}
\end{split} ε ϕϕ = ϵ 11 γ ϕθ = 2 ε ϕθ = ϵ 12 ε θθ = ϵ 22 γ ϕ z = 2 ε ϕ z = ϵ 13 ε zz = ϵ 33 γ θ z = 2 ε θ z = ϵ 23 we have that, considering only the linear terms :
ε ϕ ϕ = 1 R ( z ) ( u , ϕ cos θ + w − v tan θ ) ε θ θ = 1 R ( z ) ( v , θ + w ) ε z z = w , z γ ϕ θ = 1 R ( z ) ( u , θ + v , ϕ cos θ + u tan θ ) γ ϕ z = 1 R ( z ) ( w , ϕ cos θ − u ) + u , z γ θ z = 1 R ( z ) ( w , θ − v ) + v , z \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{\phi\phi} = \frac{1}{R(z)} \left( \frac{u_{,\phi}}{\cos \theta} + w - v \tan \theta \right) \\
\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} = \frac{1}{R(z)} (v_{,\theta} + w) \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = w_{,z} \\
\gamma_{\phi\theta} = \frac{1}{R(z)} \left( u_{,\theta} + \frac{v_{,\phi}}{\cos \theta} + u \tan \theta \right) \\
\gamma_{\phi z} = \frac{1}{R(z)} \left( \frac{w_{,\phi}}{\cos \theta} - u \right) + u_{,z} \\
\gamma_{\theta z} = \frac{1}{R(z)} (w_{,\theta} - v) + v_{,z}
\end{split} ε ϕϕ = R ( z ) 1 ( cos θ u , ϕ + w − v tan θ ) ε θθ = R ( z ) 1 ( v , θ + w ) ε zz = w , z γ ϕθ = R ( z ) 1 ( u , θ + cos θ v , ϕ + u tan θ ) γ ϕ z = R ( z ) 1 ( cos θ w , ϕ − u ) + u , z γ θ z = R ( z ) 1 ( w , θ − v ) + v , z The 1 / cos θ 1/\cos \theta 1/ cos θ and tan θ \tan \theta tan θ terms arise from the curvature of the spherical surface, representing how the differential arc length changes with latitude. The presence of w w w (radial displacement) in both ε ϕ ϕ \varepsilon_{\phi\phi} ε ϕϕ and ε θ θ \varepsilon_{\theta\theta} ε θθ is characteristic of shell theories where normal expansion or contraction directly contributes to the in-plane strains.
6 Equivalent single-layer theories ¶ When analyzing structures, full discretization over the thickness using 3D kinematics presents several significant challenges:
Mesh aspect-ratio issues: 3 to 5 first-order elements are typically needed through the thickness to capture correct bending behavior, leading to heavily distorted elements in thin structures.
Poor conditioning of stiffness matrix: The conditioning scales with E h 2 E h^2 E h 2 for bending and E t E t Et for membrane actions, leading to numerical instabilities.
Computational expense: There is a remarkably high computational cost for laminated composite materials that feature multiple layers.
Boundary conditions: Application of simply supported boundary conditions in analytical or semi-analytical models becomes highly complex.
Consequently, for thin-walled structures, utilizing strictly 3D approaches is inefficient because no prior knowledge about the deformation kinematics is embedded into the strain-displacement relations.
6.1 Typical Kinematic Theories Applied for Composite Plates ¶ Most of the analyses performed on composite plates are based on one of the following approaches Reddy, 2003 :
Equivalent single-layer (ESL) theories (2-D)
Classical laminated plate theory
Shear deformation laminated plate theories
Three-dimensional elasticity theory (3-D)
Traditional 3-D elasticity formulations
Layer-wise theories
Among the ESL theories, the First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) , especially when including transverse extensibility (ε z z ≠ 0 \varepsilon_{zz} \neq 0 ε zz = 0 ), provides the best compromise solution between accuracy, economy, and simplicity.
6.2 Equivalent Single-Layer for Shells: Mathematical Illustration ¶ To enable ESL kinematics, the 3D domain integration must be reduced to a 2D domain integration, as illustrated in Figure Figure 6 Castro, 2015 .
Figure 6: Shallow shell assumption r > > h r>>h r >> h Castro, 2015 .
Given a function f ( x , θ , z ) f(x, \theta, z) f ( x , θ , z ) , its integral over the 3-D domain V \mathcal{V} V can be expressed as Castro, 2015 :
∫ V f ( x , θ , z ) d V = ∫ r i n t r e x t ∫ Ω f ( x , θ , z ) R ( x , z ) d Ω d r \int_{\mathcal{V}} f(x, \theta, z) dV = \int_{r_{int}}^{r_{ext}} \int_{\Omega} f(x, \theta, z) R(x, z) d\Omega dr \nonumber ∫ V f ( x , θ , z ) d V = ∫ r in t r e x t ∫ Ω f ( x , θ , z ) R ( x , z ) d Ω d r Using substitutions based on cylindrical shell geometry:
d Ω = d θ d z d\Omega = d\theta dz d Ω = d θ d z
R ( x , z ) = r + z R(x, z) = r + z R ( x , z ) = r + z
d A = r d Ω dA = r d\Omega d A = r d Ω
d r = d z dr = dz d r = d z
The integral becomes:
∫ V f ( x , θ , z ) d V = ∫ − h 2 h 2 ∫ A f ( x , θ , z ) ( r + z ) d A R ( x , z ) d z = ∫ − h 2 h 2 ∫ A f ( x , θ , z ) ( 1 + z r ) d A d z \int_{\mathcal{V}} f(x, \theta, z) dV = \int_{-\frac{h}{2}}^{\frac{h}{2}} \int_{\mathcal{A}} f(x, \theta, z) (r + z) \frac{dA}{R(x, z)} dz = \int_{-\frac{h}{2}}^{\frac{h}{2}} \int_{\mathcal{A}} f(x, \theta, z) \left(1 + \frac{z}{r}\right) dA dz \nonumber ∫ V f ( x , θ , z ) d V = ∫ − 2 h 2 h ∫ A f ( x , θ , z ) ( r + z ) R ( x , z ) d A d z = ∫ − 2 h 2 h ∫ A f ( x , θ , z ) ( 1 + r z ) d A d z 6.3 Applying the Shallow Shell Assumption ¶ Applying the shallow shell theory assumption, where the radius is much larger than the thickness (r ≫ z r \gg z r ≫ z ), results in:
( 1 + z r ) ≈ 1 \left(1 + \frac{z}{r}\right) \approx 1 \nonumber ( 1 + r z ) ≈ 1 ( r + z ) ≈ r (r + z) \approx r \nonumber ( r + z ) ≈ r This simplification reduces the previous integral to:
∫ V f ( x , θ , z ) d V = ∫ − h 2 h 2 ∫ A f ( x , θ , z ) d A d z = ∫ z = − h 2 h 2 ∫ s = 0 s = 2 π r ∫ x = 0 x = L f ( x , θ , z ) d x d s d z \int_{\mathcal{V}} f(x, \theta, z) dV = \int_{-\frac{h}{2}}^{\frac{h}{2}} \int_{\mathcal{A}} f(x, \theta, z) d\mathcal{A} dz = \int_{z=-\frac{h}{2}}^{\frac{h}{2}} \int_{s=0}^{s=2\pi r} \int_{x=0}^{x=L} f(x, \theta, z) dx ds dz \nonumber ∫ V f ( x , θ , z ) d V = ∫ − 2 h 2 h ∫ A f ( x , θ , z ) d A d z = ∫ z = − 2 h 2 h ∫ s = 0 s = 2 π r ∫ x = 0 x = L f ( x , θ , z ) d x d s d z This final equation forms the basis for reducing the 3-D domain to a 2-D domain, paving the way to integrate ESL kinematics efficiently.
6.4 Comparing the Main Equivalent Single-Layer (ESL) Theories ¶ The main ESL theories make specific assumptions regarding the displacement field ( u , v , w ) (u, v, w) ( u , v , w ) through the thickness coordinate z z z .
6.5 Classical Laminated Plate Theory (CLPT) ¶ The simplest of the ESL theories is the Classical Laminated Plate Theory (CLPT) which is an extension of the Classical Plate Theory to composite laminates Reddy, 2003 , where the Kirchhoff hypotheses hold Reddy, 2003 :
Transverse normals remain straight after deformation;
Transverse normals do not experience elongation (ε z z = 0 \varepsilon_{zz} = 0 ε zz = 0 );
The transverse normals rotate so that they remain perpendicular to the mid-surface after deformation (no transverse shear takes place, i.e. γ y z = γ x z = 0 \gamma_{yz} = \gamma_{xz} = 0 γ yz = γ x z = 0 ), leading to ϕ x = − ∂ w ∂ x \phi_x = -\frac{\partial w}{\partial x} ϕ x = − ∂ x ∂ w , illustrated in Figure Figure 7 .
Figure 7: CLPT kinematics Castro, 2015 .
The displacement field using the CLPT Castro, 2015 can be described by Eq. (5) :
u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) − z w , x ( x , y ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) − z w , y ( x , y ) w ( x , y , z ) = w 0 ( x , y ) \begin{split}
u(x, y, z) = u_0(x, y) - z w_{,x}(x, y) \\
v(x, y, z) = v_0(x, y) - z w_{,y}(x, y) \\
w(x, y, z) = w_0(x, y)
\end{split} u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) − z w , x ( x , y ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) − z w , y ( x , y ) w ( x , y , z ) = w 0 ( x , y ) For convenience, it is customary to omit the subscript “0” from the mid-surface displacements, which should be clear from the context.
6.6 First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) ¶ Also known as Reissner-Mindlin theory, the FSDT is the vastly most used ESL theory within finite element codes. Its popularity comes from fact that the rotations being decoupled from the deflections, enabling straightforward and compatible linear interpolation of displacements and rotations within different finite element formulations. The main kinematic features of the FSDT are:
Rotations disconnected from normal displacements ϕ x ( x , y ) ≠ − w , x ( x , y ) \phi_x(x, y) \neq -w_{,x} (x, y) ϕ x ( x , y ) = − w , x ( x , y ) .
Transverse normals do not experience elongation (ε z z = 0 \varepsilon_{zz} = 0 ε zz = 0 ).
Transverse shear strains γ x z \gamma_{xz} γ x z and γ y z \gamma_{yz} γ yz are constant in z z z . Therefore, shear correction factors are needed .
Figure 8: FSDT kinematics Castro, 2015 .
The displacement field using the FSDT Castro, 2015 can be described by Eq. (6) :
u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ x ( x , y ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ y ( x , y ) w ( x , y , z ) = w ( x , y ) \begin{split}
u(x, y, z) = u_0(x, y) + z \phi_x(x, y) \\
v(x, y, z) = v_0(x, y) + z \phi_y(x, y) \\
w(x, y, z) = w(x, y)
\end{split} u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ x ( x , y ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ y ( x , y ) w ( x , y , z ) = w ( x , y ) Again, for convenience, it is customary to omit the subscript “0” from the mid-surface displacements, which should be clear from the context. Figure Figure 9 Castro, 2015 visually compares the CLPT and FSDT kinematics.
Figure 9: Kinematic comparison between CLPT and FSDT Castro, 2015 .
Reddy proposed a third-order shear deformation theory that results in a second-order interpolation of the transverse shear strains Reddy, 2003, Chap. 11 , which has the following kinematic features:
Rotations disconnected from normal displacements ϕ x ( x , y ) ≠ − w , x ( x , y ) \phi_x(x, y) \neq -w_{,x} (x, y) ϕ x ( x , y ) = − w , x ( x , y ) .
Transverse normals do not experience elongation (ε z z = 0 \varepsilon_{zz} = 0 ε zz = 0 ).
Consistent transverse shear strains γ x z ( x , y , z ) \gamma_{xz}(x, y, z) γ x z ( x , y , z ) and γ y z ( x , y , z ) \gamma_{yz}(x, y, z) γ yz ( x , y , z ) , such that shear correction factors are not needed .
A general third-order shear deformation theory would have 9 unknown field variables, as shown below:
u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ x ( x , y ) + z 2 θ x ( x , y ) + z 3 λ x ( x , y ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ y ( x , y ) + z 2 θ y ( x , y ) + z 3 λ y ( x , y ) w ( x , y , z ) = w 0 ( x , y ) \begin{split}
u(x, y, z) = u_0(x, y) + z \phi_x(x, y) + z^2 \theta_x(x, y) + z^3 \lambda_x(x, y) \\
v(x, y, z) = v_0(x, y) + z \phi_y(x, y) + z^2 \theta_y(x, y) + z^3 \lambda_y(x, y) \\
w(x, y, z) = w_0(x, y)
\end{split} u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ x ( x , y ) + z 2 θ x ( x , y ) + z 3 λ x ( x , y ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ y ( x , y ) + z 2 θ y ( x , y ) + z 3 λ y ( x , y ) w ( x , y , z ) = w 0 ( x , y ) Reddy proposed, already in 1984, to impose 4 traction-free boundary conditions, on the bottom and top faces of the laminate:
τ x z ( x , y , ± h 2 ) = 0 τ y z ( x , y , ± h 2 ) = 0 \tau_{xz}\left(x, y, \pm \frac{h}{2}\right) = 0 \qquad \tau_{yz}\left(x, y, \pm \frac{h}{2}\right) = 0 τ x z ( x , y , ± 2 h ) = 0 τ yz ( x , y , ± 2 h ) = 0 which then result in the following kinematic relation with 5 unknown field variables:
u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ x ( x , y ) − 4 3 h 2 z 3 ( ϕ x ( x , y ) + w , x ( x , y ) ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ y ( x , y ) − 4 3 h 2 z 3 ( ϕ y ( x , y ) + w , y ( x , y ) ) w ( x , y , z ) = w ( x , y ) \begin{split}
u(x, y, z) = u_0(x, y) + z \phi_x(x, y) - \frac{4}{3h^2} z^3 \big(\phi_x(x, y) + w_{,x}(x, y)\big) \\
v(x, y, z) = v_0(x, y) + z \phi_y(x, y) - \frac{4}{3h^2} z^3 \big(\phi_y(x, y) + w_{,y}(x, y)\big) \\
w(x, y, z) = w(x, y)
\end{split} u ( x , y , z ) = u 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ x ( x , y ) − 3 h 2 4 z 3 ( ϕ x ( x , y ) + w , x ( x , y ) ) v ( x , y , z ) = v 0 ( x , y ) + z ϕ y ( x , y ) − 3 h 2 4 z 3 ( ϕ y ( x , y ) + w , y ( x , y ) ) w ( x , y , z ) = w ( x , y ) Again, for convenience, it is customary to omit the subscript “0” from the mid-surface displacements, which should be clear from the context. Figure Figure 10 Reddy, 2003 visually compares the CLPT, FSDT and TSDT kinematics.
Figure 10: Kinematic comparison between CLPT, FSDT and TSDT Reddy, 2003 .
7 ESL equations for plates ¶ 7.1 CLPT for plates ¶ For a plate, the displacement field can be approximated using the CLPT using the definitions of Eq. (5) into Eq. (1) Castro, 2015 ):
ε x x = u , x − z w , x x + 1 2 ( ( z w , x x − u , x ) 2 + ( z w , x y − v , x ) 2 + w , x 2 ) ε y y = v , y − z w , y y + 1 2 ( ( z w , x y − u , y ) 2 + ( z w , y y − v , y ) 2 + w , y 2 ) ε z z = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x − 2 z w , x y + ( z w , x x − u , x ) ( z w , x y − u , y ) + ( z w , x y − v , x ) ( z w , y y − v , y ) + w , x w , y γ x z = 0 γ y z = 0 \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} - z w_{,xx} + \frac{1}{2}\left((z w_{,xx} - u_{,x})^2 + (z w_{,xy} - v_{,x})^2 + w_{,x}^2\right) \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = v_{,y} - z w_{,yy} + \frac{1}{2}\left((z w_{,xy} - u_{,y})^2 + (z w_{,yy} - v_{,y})^2 + w_{,y}^2\right) \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = 0 \text{ (thickness remains constant during bending)} \\
\gamma_{xy} = u_{,y} + v_{,x} - 2z w_{,xy} + (z w_{,xx} - u_{,x})(z w_{,xy} - u_{,y}) + (z w_{,xy} - v_{,x})(z w_{,yy} - v_{,y}) + w_{,x}w_{,y} \\
\gamma_{xz} = 0 \\
\gamma_{yz} = 0
\end{split} ε xx = u , x − z w , xx + 2 1 ( ( z w , xx − u , x ) 2 + ( z w , x y − v , x ) 2 + w , x 2 ) ε yy = v , y − z w , yy + 2 1 ( ( z w , x y − u , y ) 2 + ( z w , yy − v , y ) 2 + w , y 2 ) ε zz = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x − 2 z w , x y + ( z w , xx − u , x ) ( z w , x y − u , y ) + ( z w , x y − v , x ) ( z w , yy − v , y ) + w , x w , y γ x z = 0 γ yz = 0 Using van Kármán kinematics, many of the nonlinear terms are simplified Castro, 2015 :
ε x x = u , x − z w , x x + 1 2 w , x 2 ε y y = v , y − z w , y y + 1 2 w , y 2 ε z z = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x − 2 z w , x y + w , x w , y γ x z = 0 γ y z = 0 \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} - z w_{,xx} + \frac{1}{2}w_{,x}^2 \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = v_{,y} - z w_{,yy} + \frac{1}{2}w_{,y}^2 \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = 0 \text{ (thickness remains constant during bending)} \\
\gamma_{xy} = u_{,y} + v_{,x} - 2z w_{,xy} + w_{,x}w_{,y} \\
\gamma_{xz} = 0 \\
\gamma_{yz} = 0
\end{split} ε xx = u , x − z w , xx + 2 1 w , x 2 ε yy = v , y − z w , yy + 2 1 w , y 2 ε zz = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x − 2 z w , x y + w , x w , y γ x z = 0 γ yz = 0 7.2 FSDT for plates ¶ For a plate, the displacement field can be approximated using the FSDT using the definitions of Eq. (6) in (1) Castro, 2015 ):
ε x x = u , x + z ϕ x , x + 1 2 ( ( z ϕ x , x + u , x ) 2 + ( z ϕ y , x + v , x ) 2 + w , x 2 ) ε y y = v , y + z ϕ y , y + 1 2 ( ( z ϕ x , y + u , y ) 2 + ( z ϕ y , y + v , y ) 2 + w , y 2 ) ε z z = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x + z ϕ x , y + z ϕ y , x + ( z ϕ x , x + u , x ) ( z ϕ x , y + u , y ) + ( z ϕ y , x + v , x ) ( z ϕ y , y + v , y ) + w , x w , y γ x z = ϕ x + w , x + ( z ϕ x , x + u , x ) ϕ x + ( z ϕ y , x + v , x ) ϕ y γ y z = ϕ y + w , y + ( z ϕ x , y + u , y ) ϕ x + ( z ϕ y , y + v , y ) ϕ y \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} + z \phi_{x,x} + \frac{1}{2}\left((z\phi_{x,x} + u_{,x})^2 + (z\phi_{y,x} + v_{,x})^2 + w_{,x}^2\right) \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = v_{,y} + z \phi_{y,y} + \frac{1}{2}\left((z\phi_{x,y} + u_{,y})^2 + (z\phi_{y,y} + v_{,y})^2 + w_{,y}^2\right) \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = 0 \text{ (thickness remains constant during bending)} \\
\gamma_{xy} = u_{,y} + v_{,x} + z\phi_{x,y} + z\phi_{y,x} + (z\phi_{x,x} + u_{,x})(z\phi_{x,y} + u_{,y}) + (z\phi_{y,x} + v_{,x})(z\phi_{y,y} + v_{,y}) + w_{,x}w_{,y} \\
\gamma_{xz} = \phi_x + w_{,x} + (z\phi_{x,x} + u_{,x})\phi_x + (z\phi_{y,x} + v_{,x})\phi_y \\
\gamma_{yz} = \phi_y + w_{,y} + (z\phi_{x,y} + u_{,y})\phi_x + (z\phi_{y,y} + v_{,y})\phi_y
\end{split} ε xx = u , x + z ϕ x , x + 2 1 ( ( z ϕ x , x + u , x ) 2 + ( z ϕ y , x + v , x ) 2 + w , x 2 ) ε yy = v , y + z ϕ y , y + 2 1 ( ( z ϕ x , y + u , y ) 2 + ( z ϕ y , y + v , y ) 2 + w , y 2 ) ε zz = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x + z ϕ x , y + z ϕ y , x + ( z ϕ x , x + u , x ) ( z ϕ x , y + u , y ) + ( z ϕ y , x + v , x ) ( z ϕ y , y + v , y ) + w , x w , y γ x z = ϕ x + w , x + ( z ϕ x , x + u , x ) ϕ x + ( z ϕ y , x + v , x ) ϕ y γ yz = ϕ y + w , y + ( z ϕ x , y + u , y ) ϕ x + ( z ϕ y , y + v , y ) ϕ y Using van Kármán Kinematics:
ε x x = u , x + z ϕ x , x + 1 2 w , x 2 ε y y = v , y + z ϕ y , y + 1 2 w , y 2 ε z z = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x + z ϕ x , y + z ϕ y , x + w , x w , y γ x z = ϕ x + w , x γ y z = ϕ y + w , y \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} + z \phi_{x,x} + \frac{1}{2}w_{,x}^2 \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = v_{,y} + z \phi_{y,y} + \frac{1}{2}w_{,y}^2 \\
\varepsilon_{zz} = 0 \text{ (thickness remains constant during bending)} \\
\gamma_{xy} = u_{,y} + v_{,x} + z\phi_{x,y} + z\phi_{y,x} + w_{,x}w_{,y} \\
\gamma_{xz} = \phi_x + w_{,x} \\
\gamma_{yz} = \phi_y + w_{,y}
\end{split} ε xx = u , x + z ϕ x , x + 2 1 w , x 2 ε yy = v , y + z ϕ y , y + 2 1 w , y 2 ε zz = 0 (thickness remains constant during bending) γ x y = u , y + v , x + z ϕ x , y + z ϕ y , x + w , x w , y γ x z = ϕ x + w , x γ yz = ϕ y + w , y It is usual to separate the terms multiplying “z” in the form of Eq. (12) :
ε = { ε x x ε y y 2 ε x y } = { u 0 , x v 0 , y u 0 , y + v 0 , x } + z { ϕ x , x ϕ y , y ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x } γ = { 2 ε y z 2 ε x z } = { γ y z γ x z } = { w , y + ϕ y w , x + ϕ x } \begin{split}
\boldsymbol{\varepsilon} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} \varepsilon_{xx} \\ \varepsilon_{yy} \\ 2\varepsilon_{xy} \end{matrix} \right\} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} u_{0,x} \\ v_{0,y} \\ u_{0,y} + v_{0,x} \end{matrix} \right\} + z \left\{ \begin{matrix} \phi_{x,x} \\ \phi_{y,y} \\ \phi_{x,y} + \phi_{y,x} \end{matrix} \right\} \\
\boldsymbol{\gamma} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} 2\varepsilon_{yz} \\ 2\varepsilon_{xz} \end{matrix} \right\} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} \gamma_{yz} \\ \gamma_{xz} \end{matrix} \right\} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} w_{,y} + \phi_y \\ w_{,x} + \phi_x \end{matrix} \right\}
\end{split} ε = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ ε xx ε yy 2 ε x y ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ u 0 , x v 0 , y u 0 , y + v 0 , x ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ + z ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ ϕ x , x ϕ y , y ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ γ = { 2 ε yz 2 ε x z } = { γ yz γ x z } = { w , y + ϕ y w , x + ϕ x } or, using Voigt’s notation:
ε = ε ( 0 ) + z ε ( 1 ) γ = γ ( 0 ) \begin{split}
\boldsymbol{\varepsilon} = \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(0)} + z\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(1)} \\
\boldsymbol{\gamma} = \boldsymbol{\gamma}^{(0)}
\end{split} ε = ε ( 0 ) + z ε ( 1 ) γ = γ ( 0 ) Note that all relations presented for the FSDT represent a more general case than the CLPT, and can be directly converted to the latter by doing:
ϕ x = − w , x ϕ y = − w , y γ x z = 0 γ y z = 0 \begin{split}
\phi_x = -w_{,x} \\
\phi_y = -w_{,y} \\
\gamma_{xz} = 0 \\
\gamma_{yz} = 0
\end{split} ϕ x = − w , x ϕ y = − w , y γ x z = 0 γ yz = 0 7.3 TSDT for plates ¶ For a plate, the displacement field can be approximated using the TSDT using the definitions of Eq. (7) in (1) Castro, 2025 . In Eq. (13) , only the linear terms are shown:
ε x x = u , x + 1 2 w , x 2 + z ϕ x , x + z 3 ( − 4 3 h 2 ) ( ϕ x , x + w , x x ) ε y y = v , y + 1 2 w , y 2 + z ϕ y , y + z 3 ( − 4 3 h 2 ) ( ϕ y , y + w , y y ) γ x y = u , y + v , x + w , x w , y + z ϕ x , y + z ϕ y , x + z 3 ( − 4 3 h 2 ) ( ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x + 2 w , x y ) γ x z = ϕ x + w , x + z 2 ( − 4 h 2 ) ( ϕ x + w , x ) γ y z = ϕ y + w , y + z 2 ( − 4 h 2 ) ( ϕ y + w , y ) \begin{split}
\varepsilon_{xx} = u_{,x} + \frac{1}{2} w_{,x}^2 + z\phi_{x,x} + z^3 \left(-\frac{4}{3h^2}\right) (\phi_{x,x} + w_{,xx}) \\
\varepsilon_{yy} = v_{,y} + \frac{1}{2} w_{,y}^2 + z\phi_{y,y} + z^3 \left(-\frac{4}{3h^2}\right) (\phi_{y,y} + w_{,yy}) \\
\gamma_{xy} = u_{,y} + v_{,x} + w_{,x}w_{,y} + z\phi_{x,y} + z\phi_{y,x} + z^3 \left(-\frac{4}{3h^2}\right) (\phi_{x,y} + \phi_{y,x} + 2w_{,xy}) \\
\gamma_{xz} = \phi_x + w_{,x} + z^2 \left(-\frac{4}{h^2}\right) (\phi_x + w_{,x}) \\
\gamma_{yz} = \phi_y + w_{,y} + z^2 \left(-\frac{4}{h^2}\right) (\phi_y + w_{,y})
\end{split} ε xx = u , x + 2 1 w , x 2 + z ϕ x , x + z 3 ( − 3 h 2 4 ) ( ϕ x , x + w , xx ) ε yy = v , y + 2 1 w , y 2 + z ϕ y , y + z 3 ( − 3 h 2 4 ) ( ϕ y , y + w , yy ) γ x y = u , y + v , x + w , x w , y + z ϕ x , y + z ϕ y , x + z 3 ( − 3 h 2 4 ) ( ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x + 2 w , x y ) γ x z = ϕ x + w , x + z 2 ( − h 2 4 ) ( ϕ x + w , x ) γ yz = ϕ y + w , y + z 2 ( − h 2 4 ) ( ϕ y + w , y ) or, using Voigt’s notation:
ε = { ε x x ε y y 2 ε x y } = { u 0 , x v 0 , y u 0 , y + v 0 , x } + z { ϕ x , x ϕ y , y ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x } + z 3 ( − 4 3 h 2 ) { ϕ x , x + w , x x ϕ y , y + w , y y ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x + 2 w , x y } γ = { 2 ε y z 2 ε x z } = { γ y z γ x z } = { w , y + ϕ y w , x + ϕ x } + z 2 ( − 4 h 2 ) { w , y + ϕ y w , x + ϕ x } \begin{split}
\boldsymbol{\varepsilon} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} \varepsilon_{xx} \\ \varepsilon_{yy} \\ 2\varepsilon_{xy} \end{matrix} \right\} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} u_{0,x} \\ v_{0,y} \\ u_{0,y} + v_{0,x} \end{matrix} \right\} + z \left\{ \begin{matrix} \phi_{x,x} \\ \phi_{y,y} \\ \phi_{x,y} + \phi_{y,x} \end{matrix} \right\} + z^3 \left(-\frac{4}{3h^2}\right) \left\{ \begin{matrix} \phi_{x,x} + w_{,xx} \\ \phi_{y,y} + w_{,yy} \\ \phi_{x,y} + \phi_{y,x} + 2w_{,xy} \end{matrix} \right\} \\
\boldsymbol{\gamma} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} 2\varepsilon_{yz} \\ 2\varepsilon_{xz} \end{matrix} \right\} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} \gamma_{yz} \\ \gamma_{xz} \end{matrix} \right\} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} w_{,y} + \phi_y \\ w_{,x} + \phi_x \end{matrix} \right\} + z^2 \left(-\frac{4}{h^2}\right) \left\{ \begin{matrix} w_{,y} + \phi_y \\ w_{,x} + \phi_x \end{matrix} \right\}
\end{split} ε = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ ε xx ε yy 2 ε x y ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ u 0 , x v 0 , y u 0 , y + v 0 , x ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ + z ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ ϕ x , x ϕ y , y ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ + z 3 ( − 3 h 2 4 ) ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ ϕ x , x + w , xx ϕ y , y + w , yy ϕ x , y + ϕ y , x + 2 w , x y ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ γ = { 2 ε yz 2 ε x z } = { γ yz γ x z } = { w , y + ϕ y w , x + ϕ x } + z 2 ( − h 2 4 ) { w , y + ϕ y w , x + ϕ x } which becomes:
ε = ε ( 0 ) + z ε ( 1 ) + z 3 ε ( 3 ) γ = γ ( 0 ) + z 2 γ ( 2 ) \begin{split}
\boldsymbol{\varepsilon} = \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(0)} + z\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(1)} + z^3\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(3)} \\
\boldsymbol{\gamma} = \boldsymbol{\gamma}^{(0)} + z^2\boldsymbol{\gamma}^{(2)}
\end{split} ε = ε ( 0 ) + z ε ( 1 ) + z 3 ε ( 3 ) γ = γ ( 0 ) + z 2 γ ( 2 ) Again, the subscript “0” for the mid-surface expressions is usually omitted.
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