A Small Strain and Moderate Rotation Theory of Elastic Anisotropic Plates

A general nonlinear theory for the dynamics of elastic anisotropic plates that accounts for transverse shear strains and moderate rotations is presented. The theory contains, as special cases, the von Ka´rma´n classical plate theory, the first-order shear deformation theory (i.e., the Reissner-Mindlin plate theory) and the third-order shear deformation plate theory. The theory is characterized, even for isotropic plates, by strong coupling between various equations of motion.