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Strain-displacement (kinematic) equations for plates, cylindrical and spherical shells

The discussion presented by Castro Castro, 2015Castro, 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 (γij=2εij\gamma_{ij}=2\varepsilon_{ij}).

1General strain-displacement relations

According to the three-dimensional (3D) elasticity theory, the strain components referred to an arbitrary orthogonal coordinate system x1x_1,x2x_2, x3x_3, illustrated in Figure 1

Complete stress state of a material point.

Figure 1:Complete stress state of a material point.

can be written as Castro, 2015:

ϵ11=12((e132ω2)2+(e122+ω3)2+e112)+e11ϵ22=12((e232+ω1)2+(e122ω3)2+e222)+e22ϵ33=12((e232ω1)2+(e132+ω2)2+e332)+e33ϵ12=(e232+ω1)(e132ω2)+e11(e122ω3)+e22(e122+ω3)+e12ϵ13=e33(e132ω2)+e11(e132+ω2)+(e232ω1)(e122+ω3)+e13ϵ23=e22(e232ω1)+e33(e232+ω1)+(e132+ω2)(e122ω3)+e23\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}

where the parameters ϵij\epsilon_ij and ωi\omega_i are (the conventional notation for partial derivatives /x\partial/\partial x is used here for the sake of clarity) the following (Castro (2015)), with uu, vv, ww being the displacements along directions x1x_1, x2x_2, x3x_3, respectively:

e11=1H1ux1+vH1H2H1x2+wH1H3H1x3e22=uH1H2H2x1+1H2vx2+wH2H3H2x3e33=uH1H3H3x1+vH2H3H3x2+1H3wx3e12=H1H2x2(uH1)+H2H1x1(vH2)e13=H1H3x3(uH1)+H3H1x1(wH3)e23=H2H3x3(vH2)+H3H2x2(wH3)ω1=(H3w)x2(H2v)x32(H2H3)ω2=(H1u)x3(H3w)x12(H1H3)ω3=(H2v)x1(H1u)x22(H1H2)H1=(X1,x1)2+(X2,x1)2+(X3,x1)2H2=(X1,x2)2+(X2,x2)2+(X3,x2)2H3=(X1,x3)2+(X2,x3)2+(X3,x3)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}

23D kinematic equations for plates

Figure Figure 2 shows the local and global coordinates of a plate.

Plate domain.

Figure 2:Plate domain.

from where the following coordinate relations can be obtained:

x1=xX1=xx2=yX2=yx3=zX3=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}

Defining:

εxx=ϵ11γxy=2εxy=ϵ12εyy=ϵ22γxz=2εxz=ϵ13εzz=ϵ33γyz=2εyz=ϵ23\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}

We have that:

εxx=u,x+12(u,x2+v,x2+w,x2)εyy=v,y+12(u,y2+v,y2+w,y2)εzz=w,z+12(u,z2+v,z2+w,z2)γxy=u,y+v,x+(u,xu,y+v,xv,y+w,xw,y)γxz=u,z+w,x+(u,xu,z+v,xv,z+w,xw,z)γyz=v,z+w,y+(u,yu,z+v,yv,z+w,yw,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}

33D kinematic equations for cylindrical shells

Figure Figure 3 shows the local and global coordinates of a cylindrical shell.

Cylindrical shell domain.

Figure 3:Cylindrical shell domain.

from where the following geometric relations can be derived Castro, 2015:

x1=xX1=R(z)cos(θ)x2=θX2=R(z)sin(θ)x3=zX3=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}

Defining:

εxx=ϵ11γxθ=2εxθ=ϵ12εθθ=ϵ22γxz=2εxz=ϵ13εzz=ϵ33γθz=2εθz=ϵ23\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}

we have that, considering only the linear terms:

εxx=u,xεθθ=v,θR(z)+wR(z)εzz=w,zγxθ=u,θR(z)+v,xγxz=u,z+w,xγθz=v,z+w,θR(z)vR(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}

These equations represent the linear part of the strain-displacement relations (small strain/small displacement). The terms containing R(z)R(z) in the denominators account for the curvature of the coordinate system. Specifically, the wR(z)\frac{w}{R(z)} term in εθθ\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} represents the “hoop strain” contribution from radial displacement.

43D 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., 2014Castro et al., 2015Castro et al., 2015Castro, 2015.

Conical shell domain.

Figure 4:Conical shell domain.

from where the following geometric relations can be derived Castro, 2015:

x1=xX1=R(x,z)cosθx2=θX2=R(x,z)sinθx3=zX3=zsinαxcosαR(x,z)=R2+xsinα+zcosα\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}

Defining:

εxx=ϵ11γxθ=2εxθ=ϵ12εθθ=ϵ22γxz=2εxz=ϵ13εzz=ϵ33γθz=2εθz=ϵ23\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}

we have that, considering only the linear terms:

εxx=u,xεθθ=v,θR(x,z)+usinαR(x,z)+wcosαR(x,z)εzz=w,zγxθ=u,θR(x,z)+v,xvsinαR(x,z)γxz=w,x+u,zγθz=w,θR(x,z)+v,zvcosαR(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}

The sinα\sin \alpha and cosα\cos \alpha terms represent the coupling between in-plane and out-of-plane displacements caused by the surface curvature and its slope.

53D kinematic equations for spherical shells

Figure Figure 5 shows the local and global coordinates of a spherical shell.

Spherical shell domain.

Figure 5:Spherical shell domain.

from where the following geometric relations can be derived:

x1=ϕX1=R(z)cosϕcosθx2=θX2=R(z)sinϕcosθx3=zX3=R(z)sinθR(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}

where ϕ\phi is the longitude, θ\theta the latitude, and the radius RR is a function of the third coordinate zz. Defining:

εϕϕ=ϵ11γϕθ=2εϕθ=ϵ12εθθ=ϵ22γϕz=2εϕz=ϵ13εzz=ϵ33γθz=2εθz=ϵ23\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}

we have that, considering only the linear terms:

εϕϕ=1R(z)(u,ϕcosθ+wvtanθ)εθθ=1R(z)(v,θ+w)εzz=w,zγϕθ=1R(z)(u,θ+v,ϕcosθ+utanθ)γϕz=1R(z)(w,ϕcosθu)+u,zγθz=1R(z)(w,θv)+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}

The 1/cosθ1/\cos \theta and tanθ\tan \theta terms arise from the curvature of the spherical surface, representing how the differential arc length changes with latitude. The presence of ww (radial displacement) in both εϕϕ\varepsilon_{\phi\phi} and εθθ\varepsilon_{\theta\theta} is characteristic of shell theories where normal expansion or contraction directly contributes to the in-plane strains.

6Equivalent single-layer theories

When analyzing structures, full discretization over the thickness using 3D kinematics presents several significant challenges:

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.

6.1Typical Kinematic Theories Applied for Composite Plates

Most of the analyses performed on composite plates are based on one of the following approaches Reddy, 2003:

Among the ESL theories, the First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT), especially when including transverse extensibility (εzz0\varepsilon_{zz} \neq 0), provides the best compromise solution between accuracy, economy, and simplicity.

6.2Equivalent 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.

Shallow shell assumption r>>h .

Figure 6:Shallow shell assumption r>>hr>>h Castro, 2015.

Given a function f(x,θ,z)f(x, \theta, z), its integral over the 3-D domain V\mathcal{V} can be expressed as Castro, 2015:

Vf(x,θ,z)dV=rintrextΩf(x,θ,z)R(x,z)dΩdr\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

Using substitutions based on cylindrical shell geometry:

The integral becomes:

Vf(x,θ,z)dV=h2h2Af(x,θ,z)(r+z)dAR(x,z)dz=h2h2Af(x,θ,z)(1+zr)dAdz\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

6.3Applying the Shallow Shell Assumption

Applying the shallow shell theory assumption, where the radius is much larger than the thickness (rzr \gg z), results in:

(1+zr)1\left(1 + \frac{z}{r}\right) \approx 1 \nonumber
(r+z)r(r + z) \approx r \nonumber

This simplification reduces the previous integral to:

Vf(x,θ,z)dV=h2h2Af(x,θ,z)dAdz=z=h2h2s=0s=2πrx=0x=Lf(x,θ,z)dxdsdz\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

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.

6.4Comparing the Main Equivalent Single-Layer (ESL) Theories

The main ESL theories make specific assumptions regarding the displacement field (u,v,w)(u, v, w) through the thickness coordinate zz.

6.5Classical 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:

CLPT kinematics .

Figure 7:CLPT kinematics Castro, 2015.

The displacement field using the CLPT Castro, 2015 can be described by Eq. (5):

u(x,y,z)=u0(x,y)zw,x(x,y)v(x,y,z)=v0(x,y)zw,y(x,y)w(x,y,z)=w0(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}

For convenience, it is customary to omit the subscript “0” from the mid-surface displacements, which should be clear from the context.

6.6First-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:

FSDT kinematics .

Figure 8:FSDT kinematics Castro, 2015.

The displacement field using the FSDT Castro, 2015 can be described by Eq. (6):

u(x,y,z)=u0(x,y)+zϕx(x,y)v(x,y,z)=v0(x,y)+zϕy(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}

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.

Kinematic comparison between CLPT and FSDT .

Figure 9:Kinematic comparison between CLPT and FSDT Castro, 2015.

6.7Third-order Shear Deformation Theory (TSDT)

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:

A general third-order shear deformation theory would have 9 unknown field variables, as shown below:

u(x,y,z)=u0(x,y)+zϕx(x,y)+z2θx(x,y)+z3λx(x,y)v(x,y,z)=v0(x,y)+zϕy(x,y)+z2θy(x,y)+z3λy(x,y)w(x,y,z)=w0(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}

Reddy proposed, already in 1984, to impose 4 traction-free boundary conditions, on the bottom and top faces of the laminate:

τxz(x,y,±h2)=0τyz(x,y,±h2)=0\tau_{xz}\left(x, y, \pm \frac{h}{2}\right) = 0 \qquad \tau_{yz}\left(x, y, \pm \frac{h}{2}\right) = 0

which then result in the following kinematic relation with 5 unknown field variables:

u(x,y,z)=u0(x,y)+zϕx(x,y)43h2z3(ϕx(x,y)+w,x(x,y))v(x,y,z)=v0(x,y)+zϕy(x,y)43h2z3(ϕy(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}

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.

Kinematic comparison between CLPT, FSDT and TSDT .

Figure 10:Kinematic comparison between CLPT, FSDT and TSDT Reddy, 2003.

7ESL equations for plates

7.1CLPT 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):

εxx=u,xzw,xx+12((zw,xxu,x)2+(zw,xyv,x)2+w,x2)εyy=v,yzw,yy+12((zw,xyu,y)2+(zw,yyv,y)2+w,y2)εzz=0 (thickness remains constant during bending)γxy=u,y+v,x2zw,xy+(zw,xxu,x)(zw,xyu,y)+(zw,xyv,x)(zw,yyv,y)+w,xw,yγxz=0γyz=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}

Using van Kármán kinematics, many of the nonlinear terms are simplified Castro, 2015:

εxx=u,xzw,xx+12w,x2εyy=v,yzw,yy+12w,y2εzz=0 (thickness remains constant during bending)γxy=u,y+v,x2zw,xy+w,xw,yγxz=0γyz=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}

7.2FSDT for plates

For a plate, the displacement field can be approximated using the FSDT using the definitions of Eq. (6) in (1) Castro, 2015):

εxx=u,x+zϕx,x+12((zϕx,x+u,x)2+(zϕy,x+v,x)2+w,x2)εyy=v,y+zϕy,y+12((zϕx,y+u,y)2+(zϕy,y+v,y)2+w,y2)εzz=0 (thickness remains constant during bending)γxy=u,y+v,x+zϕx,y+zϕy,x+(zϕx,x+u,x)(zϕx,y+u,y)+(zϕy,x+v,x)(zϕy,y+v,y)+w,xw,yγxz=ϕx+w,x+(zϕx,x+u,x)ϕx+(zϕy,x+v,x)ϕyγyz=ϕy+w,y+(zϕx,y+u,y)ϕx+(zϕy,y+v,y)ϕy\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}

Using van Kármán Kinematics:

εxx=u,x+zϕx,x+12w,x2εyy=v,y+zϕy,y+12w,y2εzz=0 (thickness remains constant during bending)γxy=u,y+v,x+zϕx,y+zϕy,x+w,xw,yγxz=ϕx+w,xγyz=ϕy+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}

It is usual to separate the terms multiplying “z” in the form of Eq. (12):

ε={εxxεyy2εxy}={u0,xv0,yu0,y+v0,x}+z{ϕx,xϕy,yϕx,y+ϕy,x}γ={2εyz2εxz}={γyzγxz}={w,y+ϕyw,x+ϕx}\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}

or, using Voigt’s notation:

ε=ε(0)+zε(1)γ=γ(0)\begin{split} \boldsymbol{\varepsilon} = \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(0)} + z\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{(1)} \\ \boldsymbol{\gamma} = \boldsymbol{\gamma}^{(0)} \end{split}

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:

ϕx=w,xϕy=w,yγxz=0γyz=0\begin{split} \phi_x = -w_{,x} \\ \phi_y = -w_{,y} \\ \gamma_{xz} = 0 \\ \gamma_{yz} = 0 \end{split}

7.3TSDT 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:

εxx=u,x+12w,x2+zϕx,x+z3(43h2)(ϕx,x+w,xx)εyy=v,y+12w,y2+zϕy,y+z3(43h2)(ϕy,y+w,yy)γxy=u,y+v,x+w,xw,y+zϕx,y+zϕy,x+z3(43h2)(ϕx,y+ϕy,x+2w,xy)γxz=ϕx+w,x+z2(4h2)(ϕx+w,x)γyz=ϕy+w,y+z2(4h2)(ϕy+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}

or, using Voigt’s notation:

ε={εxxεyy2εxy}={u0,xv0,yu0,y+v0,x}+z{ϕx,xϕy,yϕx,y+ϕy,x}+z3(43h2){ϕx,x+w,xxϕy,y+w,yyϕx,y+ϕy,x+2w,xy}γ={2εyz2εxz}={γyzγxz}={w,y+ϕyw,x+ϕx}+z2(4h2){w,y+ϕyw,x+ϕx}\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}

which becomes:

ε=ε(0)+zε(1)+z3ε(3)γ=γ(0)+z2γ(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}

Again, the subscript “0” for the mid-surface expressions is usually omitted.

References
  1. Castro, S. G. P. (2015). Semi-analytical tools for the analysis of laminated composite cylindrical and conical imperfect shells under various loading and boundary conditinos [Phdthesis, Technische Universität Clausthal]. 10.21268/20150210-154320
  2. Castro, S. G. P. (2025). Stability of Structures: Kinematics, Equivalent Single-Layer Theories, and Energy-based Semi-Analytical Methods. 10.5281/zenodo.18957062
  3. Castro, S. G. P., Mittelstedt, C., Monteiro, F. A. C., Arbelo, M. A., Ziegmann, G., & Degenhardt, R. (2014). Linear buckling predictions of unstiffened laminated composite cylinders and cones under various loading and boundary conditions using semi-analytical models. Composite Structures, 118, 303–315. 10.1016/j.compstruct.2014.07.037
  4. Castro, S. G. P., Mittelstedt, C., Monteiro, F. A. C., Arbelo, M. A., Degenhardt, R., & Ziegmann, G. (2015). A semi-analytical approach for linear and non-linear analysis of unstiffened laminated composite cylinders and cones under axial, torsion and pressure loads. Thin-Walled Structures, 90, 61–73. 10.1016/j.tws.2015.01.002
  5. Castro, S. G. P., Mittelstedt, C., Monteiro, F. A. C., Degenhardt, R., & Ziegmann, G. (2015). Evaluation of non-linear buckling loads of geometrically imperfect composite cylinders and cones with the Ritz method. Composite Structures, 122, 284–299. 10.1016/j.compstruct.2014.11.050
  6. Reddy, J. N. (2003). Mechanics of Laminated Composite Plates and Shells. CRC Press. 10.1201/b12409