A plate bending element based on a generalized laminate plate theory

Abstract A plate bending element based on the generalized laminate plate theory (GLPT) developed by the senior author is described and its accuracy is investigated by comparison with the exact solutions of the generalized plate theory and the 3D‐elasticity theory. The element accounts for transverse shear deformation and layer‐wise description of the inplane displacements of the laminate. The element has improved description of the inplane as well as the transverse deformation response. A method for the computation of interlaminar (transverse) stresses is also presented.