Nonlinear solution of circular composite plates with piezoelectric layers utilizing third-order shear deformation theory

This paper presents geometrically nonlinear analysis of a circular multilayer plate with piezoelectric layers. Orthotropic composite plates and linear variation of piezoelectric strain with the voltage has considered. Moreover, the most voltage creation has considered in the z direction. Plate reacts to electrical and mechanical load simultaneously and the equilibrium equations have obtained utilizing von-Karman assumptions for the first and third order shear deformation theory. Finite difference method has used to solve the obtained equations. Finally, the displacement, the strain and the stress files has obtained. The results of both theories have compared with each other and other researches and show that the third order theory solves the problem precisely. The results also show that the increasing of the fiber angle increases the maximum displacement. Finally the results show that optionally displacement can be obtained utilizing a special voltage without using loading.