• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.531-546
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• 2009

In the present analysis, the spline finite strip with higher-order shear deformation is formulated for the static analysis of piezoelectric composite plates. The proposed method incorporates Reddy's third-order shear deformation theory, Touratier's "Sine" model, Afaq's exponential model, Cho's higher-order zigzag laminate theory, as well as the classic plate theory and the first-order plate theory. Thus, the analysis can be conducted based on any of the above-mentioned theories. The selection of a specific method is done by simply changing a few terms in a 2 by 2 square matrix and the results, obtained according to different plate theories, can be compared to each other. Numerical examples are presented for piezoelectric composite plates subjected to mechanical loading. The results based on different shear deformation theories are compared with the three-dimensional solutions. The behaviours of piezoelectric composite plates with different length-to-thickness ratios, fibre orientations, and boundary conditions are also investigated in these examples.