Vibration and stability of an initially stressed laminated plate based on a higher-order deformation theory

Equations of motion for a laminated plate in a general state of nonuniform initial stress where the higher-order shear deformation terms are included are derived. The equations are derived by using the average stress method. The natural frequencies and buckling loads of cross-ply laminated plates subjected to initial stress are investigated. The initial stress is taken to be a combination of uniaxial pure bending and extensional stresses in the plane of the plate. The results obtained from the present higher-order theory are compared with first-order theory and other higher-order theory results. In addition, the effects of various parameters on the natural frequencies and buckling loads are studied.